Imports of knitted apparel (HS **) totalled NZ$***.** million (~$***.* million) in the first six months of ****, down from NZ$***.** million a year earlier, a decrease of *.* per cent. Non-knitted apparel (HS **) imports fell to NZ$***.** million (~$***.* million) from NZ$***.** million, down *.* per cent.
In June ****, however, apparel imports edged higher. Combined imports of HS ** and HS ** increased to NZ$***.** million (~$**.* million) from NZ$***.** million in June ****, up *.* per cent year on year. Knitted apparel imports rose to NZ$**.** million (~$**.* million), an increase of *.* per cent from NZ$**.** million, while non-knitted apparel imports climbed to NZ$**.** million (~$**.* million) from NZ$**.** million, up *.* per cent. The improvement suggests a gradual stabilisation in import demand, although it was insufficient to offset weaker imports recorded earlier in the year.
On the export side, New Zealand**;s apparel shipments also improved. Exports of knitted and non-knitted apparel (HS ** and **) totalled NZ$**.** million (~$**.* million) in June ****, compared with NZ$**.** million in June ****, an increase of about **.* per cent. During January–June ****, cumulative apparel exports rose to NZ$**.** million (~$**.* million) from NZ$**.** million in the corresponding period of ****, up *.* per cent.
Knitted apparel continued to drive New Zealand**;s apparel export growth. Exports under HS Chapter ** rose **.* per cent year on year in June and were **.* per cent higher during January-June ****. In contrast, HS Chapter ** exports increased *.* per cent in June but remained *.* per cent lower on a cumulative basis, indicating that the overall improvement in the country**;s apparel exports was primarily driven by knitted garments.
