Overview
- ADEX Data Trade figures released Sunday show Q1 2026 textile and apparel exports fell 8% year‑on‑year to US$389 million, down from US$424 million in Q1 2025.
- Shipments to the United States, which accounted for 49.8% of exports, dropped 12.3% from US$221 million to US$194 million and were the largest single market loss.
- ADEX links the decline to higher costs for petroleum‑linked inputs such as polyester plus rising fuel and maritime freight rates related to the Middle East conflict.
- The trade group urges exporters to diversify product lines toward synthetic fibers, technical garments and niche items to offset competition from Asia and North Africa.
- Peru still sold to 80 countries in Q1 2026 and saw growth in Brazil, China and Chile, but limited domestic capacity and stronger suppliers abroad constrain near‑term recovery.