Garments to Japan Get More Expensive

According to the Information Centre under the Ministry of Trade, garment and textile exports to Japan soared in both volume and value in the first quarter of this year. Particularly, kimono export generated US$12.5 million, up 25 per cent in value on year; trousers topped the list with turnover of more than US$20 million, representing an on-year increase of 15 per cent and accounting for 23 per cent of Vietnam’s total garment and textile export revenues to Japan.

The price of a kimono exported to Japan averaged over US$145 on FOB basis, a rise of 11 per cent against the first quarter of last year. Similarly, the price of trousers was 6 per cent higher than the same period of last year, to US$9.12 each (on FOB delivery), 2 per cent higher than in 2006 and 8 per cent higher than in 2005.

According to expert forecasts, the export of Vietnamese garments and textiles to Japan will go smoothly in 2007 as companies in the two countries had many trade talks since early this year.