Mexico’s value edge is widening
The value signal is visible in customs-level trade data. OTEXA figures reported in early August show US textile and apparel imports fell *.** per cent in volume and *.** per cent in value in H* ****, while apparel volumes alone declined *.** per cent. Yet Mexico commands the highest average apparel unit price among major suppliers at $*.** per square metre equivalent (SME) in ****, versus $*.** for Vietnam, $*.** for China and $*.** globally. OTEXA data also identified Mexico as the only major supplier recording a notable unit-price increase in early ****. Its four-to-eight-week lead times, versus **–** weeks from Asia, support faster replenishment and higher-value product mixes. For buyers, the relevant benchmark is therefore landed cost and working capital, not factory price alone.
Chart *: Average unit price of US apparel imports by supplier, **** (OTEXA).
Source: OTEXA ( US Office of Textiles and Appael)
