Australia's apparel imports rise 7.8% to $5.55 bn in Jul-Feb FY25

Imports of textile yarn, fabrics, and made-up articles (classified under code 65) also rose by 6.47 per cent, reaching Au$3.139 billion (~$1.921 billion) in the first eight months of the current fiscal, compared to Au$2.948 billion in the same period last fiscal. Conversely, fibre imports (classified under code 26) fell to Au$77 million, down from Au$86 million during the period under review.

In February 2025, imports of apparel and clothing accessories decreased by 2.38 per cent to Au$1.230 billion, down from Au$1.260 billion in February 2024. Imports of textile yarn, fabrics, made-up articles, and related products eased to Au$369 million, compared to Au$397 million in February 2024. Fibre imports declined to Au$10 million from Au$12 million in February 2024.

Meanwhile, Australia's exports of textile fibres (code 26) were valued at Au$4.523 billion (~$2.768 billion) during July 2024–February 2025, marking a 13.52 per cent decrease from Au$5.207 billion in the corresponding period of the previous year. Exports in February 2025 fell by 5.78 per cent to Au$358 million, compared to Au$380 million in February 2024.

In fiscal 2023–24, Australia's apparel and clothing imports totalled Au$12.231 billion (~$7.748 billion), a decline of 5.2 per cent from Au$12.903 billion recorded in 2022–23. Similarly, imports of textile yarn and fabrics dropped by 9.40 per cent, from Au$4.825 billion in 2022–23 to Au$4.371 billion (~$2.767 billion) in 2023–24.

Australia exported textile fibres worth Au$7.053 billion (~$4.465 billion) in 2023–24, representing a decline of 13.97 per cent from Au$8.199 billion in 2022–23. Notably, Australia remains a significant producer and exporter of cotton.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (KUL)