Home breadcru News breadcru Trade breadcru  | South Korea's apparel imports ease 2.3% in Jan–Oct

Prime Content | 
South Korea's apparel imports ease 2.3% in Jan–Oct

05 Dec '25
3 min read
South Korea's apparel imports ease 2.3% in Jan–Oct
Pic: Shutterstock.com

Insights

  • South Korea's apparel imports fell slightly in Jan–Oct, while imports in Oct saw a sharper drop.
  • Knitted categories proved more resilient than non-knitted items.
  • Textile exports continued to contract as production shifted offshore and global competition increased.
  • The divergence highlights weakening upstream competitiveness and sustained reliance on *** for garment supply.

Imports of knitted apparel and clothing accessories (Chapter **) were valued at $*.*** billion in the first ten months of ****, slightly lower than $*.*** billion in the corresponding period of the previous year. Knitted categories remain relatively resilient due to stable year-round demand for basics and athleisure, even as overall apparel spending moderates.

Meanwhile, imports of non-knitted apparel and clothing accessories (Chapter **) totalled $*.*** billion, down *.** per cent from $*.*** billion in January–October ****. Non-knitted segments, which rely more heavily on fashion-driven seasonal ranges, saw sharper reductions as buyers trimmed orders to manage risks linked to slower turnover and elevated promotional activity.

Get Free Weekly Market Insights Newsletter

Receive daily prices and market insights straight to your inbox. Subscribe to AlchemPro Weekly!