|
UK's clothing imports down 4.6% to $1.7 bn in January 2026

16 Mar '26

2 min read

UK's clothing imports down 4.6% to $1.7 bn in January 2026

Pic: Shutterstock.com

Insights

The UK's clothing imports declined *.* per cent year on year in January 2026, reflecting softer demand at the start of the year. Fabric imports also eased annually, while fibre imports showed a slight increase. Despite the monthly decline, the UK's clothing imports recorded overall growth in 2025, indicating a gradual recovery in apparel trade after sharp declines in 2023.

During the first month of ****, the UK’s imports of textile fabrics eased to £*** million (~$*** million), against £*** million in January ****. However, import was higher from £*** million in December ****. UK’s imports of fibre were noted at £** million (~$**.** million) against £** million in January **** and £** million in December ****.

In the fourth quarter of ****, the UK’s clothing imports amounted to £*.*** billion (~$*.*** billion), *.** per cent lower than £*.*** billion in the fourth quarter of ****. They were also *.** per cent below the £*.*** billion recorded in the third quarter of ****. Fabric imports during this period were valued at £*.*** billion (~$*.*** billion), while textile fibre imports reached £** million (~$***.** million) in October–December ****. In the same quarter of ****, fabric imports were £*.*** billion and fibre imports £*** million. In the third quarter of ****, the UK imported fabric worth £*.*** billion and fibre worth £** million.