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New Zealand's apparel imports steady at $1.2 bn in 2025

19 Feb '26

2 min read

New Zealand's apparel imports steady at $1.2 bn in 2025

Pic: Shutterstock.com

Insights

New Zealand's apparel imports remained broadly steady at NZ$**** billion (~$**** billion) in 2025, as modest value growth offset mixed volume trends.
Knitted apparel imports rose despite lower volumes, while woven apparel volumes improved marginally.
Textile fabric imports and exports recorded strong growth, indicating firmer intermediate demand.
However, apparel exports declined sharply.

Knitted apparel (HS **) imports rose to NZ$*.*** billion (~$***.** million) in **** from NZ$*.*** billion in ****, up *.* per cent. However, volumes declined to ***.* million units from ***.* million units, indicating higher average unit prices and tighter inventory management by retailers seeking to avoid overstocking. In contrast, woven apparel (HS **) imports were largely flat at NZ$***.* million, marginally higher than NZ$***.* million a year earlier, while volumes increased to **.* million units from **.* million units, suggesting relatively stronger demand in certain non-knitted categories.

Textile fabric imports under HS ** recorded robust expansion. Imports climbed to NZ$**.** million in **** from NZ$**.** million in ****, a rise of **.* per cent. Volumes surged to ***.** million square metres compared with **.** million square metres in the previous year, pointing to stronger demand for intermediate textile inputs. This may reflect increased local processing activity, product diversification, or stock-building by manufacturers amid supply chain adjustments.