New Zealand’s apparel imports fell 8 per cent year on year to NZ$150.50 million in April 2026, reflecting a softer start to fiscal 2026–27, with sharper weakness in non-knitted garments.
In contrast, apparel exports rose 19.3 per cent, led by strong growth in knitted apparel.
Fabric imports increased, indicating resilient demand for textile inputs despite weaker garment sourcing.