Apparel and footwear market in Thailand - statistics & facts
The apparel and footwear market in Thailand is built upon the country’s large textile industry, which consists of other sub-sectors such as the spinning industry, the synthetic fiber industry, the weaving industry, and the garment dyeing industry. Thailand has established itself as a popular hub for apparel production and garment outsourcing for brands across the globe, including fast fashion brands in Europe, due to the availability of low-cost labor and its production capabilities. In recent years, production has shifted towards higher quality items to meet new fashion trends and rising demand from domestic consumers. In 2024, forecast spending on clothing and footwear in Thailand was forecasted to reach over nine billion U.S. dollars.
Thailand’s textile production and apparel market Many international brands outsource the production of their apparel and footwear products to Thailand due to the low cost of labor compared to the global average. Thailand has an ample supply of materials consisting of both synthetic fibers and natural fibers. Cotton and silk are the two most well-known fabrics produced in Thailand, with cotton being one of its major exports. Thailand’s leading textile trading partners are the neighboring ASEAN countries, the United States, China, and Japan. As of February 2024, clothing was the main apparel product exported from Thailand. In recent years, the country has become less competitive as a garment production hub compared to Vietnam, China, or Bangladesh. However, garment production in Thailand is transitioning towards quality and sustainability. This shift in production and outsourcing trends partially resulted in higher sales value of apparel and footwear items while also leading to an overall decline in production quantity.
Thailand’s textile production and apparel market Many international brands outsource the production of their apparel and footwear products to Thailand due to the low cost of labor compared to the global average. Thailand has an ample supply of materials consisting of both synthetic fibers and natural fibers. Cotton and silk are the two most well-known fabrics produced in Thailand, with cotton being one of its major exports. Thailand’s leading textile trading partners are the neighboring ASEAN countries, the United States, China, and Japan. As of February 2024, clothing was the main apparel product exported from Thailand. In recent years, the country has become less competitive as a garment production hub compared to Vietnam, China, or Bangladesh. However, garment production in Thailand is transitioning towards quality and sustainability. This shift in production and outsourcing trends partially resulted in higher sales value of apparel and footwear items while also leading to an overall decline in production quantity.
