New Zealand**;s imports of knitted and non-knitted apparel (HS Chapters ** and **) increased by *.* per cent year on year in September ****, extending the recovery recorded over the previous two months. Cumulative imports during January–September returned to positive growth after remaining marginally below the previous year**;s level during January–August. However, apparel exports declined in September, reflecting mixed trends in the country**;s clothing trade.
Apparel imports totalled NZ$***.** million (~$***.** million) in September, compared with NZ$***.** million in the same month of ****, according to the latest data from Stats NZ. Imports of knitted apparel under HS Chapter ** rose by *.* per cent to NZ$**.** million from NZ$**.** million, while non-knitted apparel imports under HS Chapter ** increased by * per cent to NZ$**.** million from NZ$**.** million.
During January–September ****, combined apparel imports remained virtually unchanged at NZ$*.*** billion (~$***.** million), compared with the corresponding period of ****. Knitted apparel imports increased by *.* per cent to NZ$***.** million from NZ$***.** million, while non-knitted apparel imports declined by *.* per cent to NZ$***.** million from NZ$***.** million.
