Nina Jobst
Research expert covering South Korea
Denim market worldwide - statistics & facts
One of the sturdiest textiles in the world, denim has come a long way from what was once used for durable workers uniforms to now being a fundamental component of the casual everyday wardrobe. First produced in Nîmes, France, and where the fabric gets its name - serge de Nîmes – denim trade has grown exponentially since the fabric’s creation, with China becoming the leading exporter in our current day and age. In fact, four out of the five leading export countries are in Asia.
Despite shifting fashion trends – from skinny jeans to wide-leg cuts, distressed finishes to different washes – denim remains a staple in wardrobes across the world. Its ability to adapt to trends while maintaining its durable and comfortable structure ensures that jeans will remain relevant across many generations to come.
Denim around the world
China takes a leading position particularly in the export of denim with less than 85 percent cotton content, remaining far ahead other global exporters. Usually, the higher cotton percentage a pair of jeans have, the higher the quality, as perceived by denim connoisseurs. Within the export of jeans with a higher cotton percentage China once again takes center stage, with exports valuing approximately 502 million U.S. dollars.Leading denim brands
One of the companies that brought jeans to the everyday customer is Levi Strauss & Co., founded in the 1850s in the United States. Better known as Levi’s, this brand has become both a household name and a global powerhouse, selling billions of dollars’ worth of jeans every year. As of 2024, Levi’s registered a revenue of approximately 6.36 billion U.S. dollars. By comparison, Kontoor Brands, another U.S.-based company, had a net revenue of 2.6 billion U.S. dollars the same year, around one-third of that of Levi’s.Despite shifting fashion trends – from skinny jeans to wide-leg cuts, distressed finishes to different washes – denim remains a staple in wardrobes across the world. Its ability to adapt to trends while maintaining its durable and comfortable structure ensures that jeans will remain relevant across many generations to come.
