The customers are continuously searching for better choices in apparel all around the world and this has helped several economies to prosper and bloom. Brazilian textile sector is one such economy that has managed to be in news for all the positive reasons. The strong domestic market of Brazil has opened new avenues of growth in textile and apparel sector. Unlike other countries like China, Vietnam, India etc. that depend mainly on exports of textile to developed countries like the USA and European Unions, Brazil's textile industry is fairly immune to alterations in exports. The country has set an example for others to manage and sustain growth by relying on domestic market.
However, it is not completely possible to manage an industry, obtain full employment, and provide social equity by neglecting exports, so Brazil has increasingly exploring prospects in exports concerning textile and apparels. As per Associacaoo Brasileira da Industria Textil de Confecoes (ABIT or Brazilian Association of Textile and Apparel), Brazil's garment sector production is rising by 5.5 percent annually and 1.5 percent monthly. The retail performance is also positive and textile and apparel sales volume grew by 5 percent, while revenue increased by 9.41 percent on annual basis. The textile and apparel industry contributes 4.1 percent of the total Brazilian Gross Net Product, and 17.2 percent showing that this is an industry of great relevance for the Brazilian economy, and has strong social impact.
The rapid economic growth and population's inclination to spend on lavish clothing brands have resulted in a huge increase in textile and clothing consumption per head in the country. In case of yarns, fabric, and knitwear, the country is the eight largest producers in the world and ranks seven in the production of apparel, behind only China, India, USA, Mexico, Turkey and South Korea. In terms of international commerce, the participation is rising steadily. In world textile and apparel exports, Brazil ranks 26 and in imports it ranks 34. Brazil's textile industries depend a lot on technology and following this technology is on continuous revival in the country. More than USD 10.5 billion has been invested only in textile machines in last few years. The Brazilian textile and apparel industry comprises more than 30,000 companies in the sector, generating around 14 million to 15 million jobs, both direct and indirect. Brazil is among the top ten textile industry markets globally and among the top five as an apparel producer.
Global luxury brands in Brazil are in demand and luxury brand Louis Vuitton has reported that its store in Brazil provides more profit to the brand in comparison with any other country. The prospects of luxury and branded products, children's wear, mid and high casual wear in denim, work wear for men and women and home line in textile and apparel are promising. Today companies are seeking operational sustainability and are focusing on developing their brands as an international product.
With the FIFA World Cup 2014, followed by the Olympic Games in 2016 held in Brazil, several bigwigs in the global apparel business launched their stores in Brazil. After all, Brazil is South Americas largest apparel market, with 42 billion in sales alone. Companies like J P Morgan Asset Management have invested approximately $ 45 million in online fashion retailer, called Dafiti. Luxury malls in Brazil presents several international brands, including Valentino, Miuccia Prada, Miu Miu, Goyard, Lanvin, Van Cleef & Arpels, Bare Minerals, Topshop, Dolce & Gabbana, and Nicole Miller.
The Brazilian textile and apparel industry is much wider than most people think, going beyond the clothing. With changes in international market, Brazil is likely to become an open textile market in the years to come, till then the Brazilian authorities are working on reviving the local markets to ensure that the textile and apparel sector continues with its present momentum of growth.