New Zealand apparel imports decline amid cautious demand

Apparel imports in New Zealand fell by 11% year on year to around $216 million in January to February 2026, reflecting soft consumer demand and ongoing inventory adjustments across the retail sector.

The decline was broad-based, impacting both knitted and non-knitted segments, indicating overall weakness in garment imports rather than pressure in a single category. Industry insights suggest that buyers remained cautious, limiting fresh orders amid uncertain demand conditions.

At the same time, apparel exports from the country also showed a downward trend, signaling a challenging trade environment. However, textile inputs such as fabric imports and exports recorded modest growth, pointing to some resilience in upstream supply chains.

The trend highlights a slowdown in apparel trade activity in early 2026, with market players closely monitoring demand recovery and inventory cycles in the coming months.