China has yet to regain the dominant position it once held in Europe's home textile import market, despite recording a modest improvement in market share during the first quarter of 2026. According to sourcing intelligence tool TexPro, European home textile imports declined to $8.02 billion in the first quarter of 2026, down from $8.34 billion in the corresponding period of 2025.
Vietnam’s textile and garment industry demonstrated resilience amidst a challenging global climate during the first half of 2026. According to the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS), total exports in the sector were estimated at 22.2 billion USD, marking a 1.7 percent year-on-year increase. While the overall figures reflect a positive trend, the industry's performance was nuanced; exports of fibers, fabrics, accessories, and non-woven materials recorded solid growth between 5.6 percent and 10.6 percent. Conversely, garment exports saw a slight contraction of 0.4 percent, primarily driven by weakened consumer demand in key markets.
The European fashion industry is navigating a critical turning point that could redefine the future of low-cost, high-volume clothing. For years, fast fashion operated as an unstoppable engine, capitalizing on lightning-fast production cycles and ultra-cheap pricing. However, a powerful combination of aggressive European Union regulations, mounting environmental pressure, and shifting consumer consciousness has initiated an unprecedented backlash against this throwaway culture.
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