At US$3.3 billion, exports in the first nine months of 2004 already surpass 2003 shipments of US$3.2 billion. By the end of this year, exports are expected to cross the US$4 billion mark.

Japan is China's largest export market, absorbing close to US$2.5 billion worth of T-shirts and polo-shirts from January 2003 to September 2004. South Korea and Australia are second and third, importing US$447 million and US$361 million worth, respectively, in the same period.

The garment and textile quotas that have been in place since 1974 limit exports to the United States and the European Union. The US is currently China's fourth largest importer, absorbing some US$268 million worth in the same 21-month span, while exports to the EU amounted to US$559 million.

The quota system ends this year, and despite the possible safeguards that might be imposed on China T-shirts and polo-shirts, suppliers are already preparing for an exports surge post-quota.

China's more than 2,000 export manufacturers produce T-shirts and polo shirts for men, women and children. About half of these suppliers have direct export capability and the rest ship their products through trading companies. This report focuses on men's and women's designs and does not cover children's models. Most China makers of men's and women's T-shirts and polo-shirts do not produce children's models, and those that do usually offer these as a sideline.

T-shirts account for more than 90 percent of shipments, with men's T-shirts taking up more than half the export share. More than 70 percent of suppliers' output is produced for OEM clients. China suppliers manufacture T-shirts and polo-shirts for major fashion retailers such as Wal-Mart and Kmart, and for sports brands Nike, Reebok and Adidas. The remaining output carries suppliers' in-house brand names.

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