Australia imports 59% apparel from China despite diplomatic tensions

According to Fibre2Fashion's market insight tool TexPro, Australia imported apparel worth $2,115.786 million during January-March 2024. Of this, the country’s imports from China were valued at $1,250.946 million, constituting 59.12 per cent of the total apparel imports. During the same period, imports from Bangladesh were $254.946 million (12.05 per cent), Vietnam $166.850 million (7.89 per cent), India $85.053 million (4.02 per cent), and Indonesia $74.164 million (3.51 per cent).

Traditionally and geographically, China is more favourable for imports of labour-intensive products like textiles. However, strained diplomatic relations have affected their bilateral trade and economic relations. In terms of textiles and garments, Australia’s imports from China have slightly decreased in previous years, but China remains the largest apparel supplier.

As per TexPro, Australia’s apparel imports totalled $6,600.583 million in 2019. Of this, imports from China were $4,193.826 million, which was 63.54 per cent of the total. In 2020, apparel imports from China were noted at $4,207.400 million, making up 66.11 per cent of the total imports of $6,363.952 million.

The nation imported apparel worth $4,637.549 million from China in 2021. This was 62.79 per cent of its total imports of $7,386.258 million for the same period. The Chinese share peaked in 2020 and continued to decrease in subsequent years. It further eased to 61.80 per cent in 2022, as Australia imported apparel worth $5,088.455 million from China, out of total imports of $8,233.128 million.

In 2023, the Chinese share fell below 60 per cent. It was noted at 59.03 per cent, as Australia’s apparel imports from China were valued at $4,447.835 million, while total imports stood at $7,534.986 million.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (KUL)