Australia's Textile Imports Dip in Quarter
Apparel and textile imports fell in July-September 2026 while fibre exports rose, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics figures.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Fashion
Australia's apparel imports declined by a percentage during July-September 2026, and imports of textile yarn, fabrics and made-up articles also dipped. Fibre exports rose by a percentage in the first quarter of fiscal 2025-26.
Why it matters
The shift in trade flows for textiles and apparel shows how Australia's clothing supply chain is changing relative to the previous fiscal year. Changes in fibre exports also reflect movement in the country's raw material trade.
Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show apparel imports under code 61-62 totalled A$ billion for July-September 2026, compared with A$ billion a year earlier. The reasons for the decline were not identified in the data.
The players
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)
The ABS is Australia's national statistical agency responsible for compiling trade and economic data.
The details
Imports of textile yarn, fabrics and made-up articles under code 50-63 dipped compared with the same period of the previous fiscal year, and fibre imports decreased slightly. Apparel imports edged up year on year in September 2026, while September textile imports fell by a percentage from September 2025.
Timeline
July-September 2026: Textile and apparel import declines and fibre export rise recorded.
September 2026: Apparel imports edged up year on year.
Fashion Industry Trends
The July-September 2026 figures are drawn from the Australian Bureau of Statistics international trade series, which tracks textile, apparel and fibre flows against the same quarter of the previous fiscal year. The data provides a benchmark for assessing whether Australia's clothing imports are following the same pattern over successive quarters.
Changes in apparel and textile import volumes can affect the range and pricing of clothing available to Australian shoppers. Shifts in fibre exports may also influence the cost of raw materials for domestic manufacturers.
The takeaway
Watching quarterly trade data helps readers understand whether changes in clothing supply are a short-term fluctuation or part of a longer shift in Australia's apparel market.
Further reading
Explore more on Fashion trends and the industry forces shaping clothing supply in Australia.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Fibre2fashion.
