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China's T&A exports down 1.6% in Jan–Oct amid soft global demand

15 Nov '25

3 min read

China's T&A exports down 1.6% in Jan–Oct amid soft global demand

Pic: Shutterstock.com

Insights

China's textile and apparel exports fell *.*% to $*****.* billion in January–October 2025 as global demand softened and sourcing shifted to Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Turkiye.
Textile exports rose slightly, supported by industrial and technical categories, while garment shipments declined.
Imports of yarn and fabric also dropped due to weaker domestic consumption and rising self-sufficiency.

The contraction underlines continued pressure on China’s textile-apparel trade amid a sluggish global demand environment and the diversification of sourcing by international brands. Weak consumer sentiment in key markets and greater supplier competition have kept export growth muted.

Exports of textile products—including yarns, fabrics, and related articles—rose *.* per cent to $***.*** billion, up from $***.*** billion in ****. This indicates resilience in upstream categories, supported by steady industrial and technical textile orders. These categories benefit from stable long-term contracts and less sensitivity to fashion-driven volatility. In contrast, garment and accessory exports dropped *.* per cent to $***.*** billion from $***.*** billion, as overseas retailers adjusted inventories and shifted part of their sourcing to Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Turkiye. Higher labour costs and geopolitical risks have accelerated sourcing shifts away from China, particularly in labour-intensive apparel segments.