Recent trade data indicate that April imports rose from a month earlier to 1.4 billion (raw-fiber equivalent) pounds. Increased imports of all major fibers and all major end-use categories occurred in April.

Apparel imports rose 22 million pounds, accounting for over 40 percent of the increase. Cotton textile imports, at 771 million pounds, accounted for 56 percent of all textile shipments, compared with 58 percent in March.

Total U.S. textile and apparel exports increased 3 percent above a month- and year earlier levels to 346 million pounds. Larger cotton and linen textile shipments accounted for the increase. Cotton textile exports, at 170 million pounds, were up 7 percent from March and 3 percent from a year ago.

Overall, the April trade deficit was 1.0 billion pounds, with cotton accounting for 59 percent (600 million pounds) of the total. The April deficit increased 5 percent from March but was 3 percent below a year earlier.

The deficit for the first 4 months of 2008 totaled 4.3 billion pounds, compared with 4.5 billion for the same period of 2007. Imports of textile and apparel products are 5 percent (291 million pounds) below 2007 levels, while exports are only down 2 percent (23 million pounds).