Global demand for Chinese-made apparel surged in the first four months of the year, reaching $44.41 billion, according to data from the country’s General Administration of Customs, representing a year-on-year rise of 51.7 percent.

From January to April, China’s exports of textile yarns, fabrics and related products totalled over $43.96 billion, up by 18 percent year-on-year.

As major western consumer economies emerge from the pandemic ready to spend on fashion and related categories, China’s supply chain is playing a key role in bringing those products to market. But this surge in demand, coupled with raw material price rises and logistical bottlenecks, is making it difficult for players across that chain to keep prices in check.