Apparels

South Korea’s apparel imports fell 2.14 per cent to $1.004 billion in January 2026.
Knitted imports (Chapter 61) dipped to $426.61 million and non-knitted (Chapter 62) to $577.47 million.
The country exports fabrics, with January 2026 man-made filaments (Chapter 54) at $141.13 million and knitted fabrics (Chapter 60) at $113.9 million.
Imports eased 1.44 per cent in 2025.

Israeli and US attacks on Iran and Tehran’s response forced the closure of ‌airspace across ⁠parts of ⁠the Middle East and shut key airports such as Dubai and Doha, disrupting business ​and travel.

Carter’s reported Q4 fiscal 2025 sales of $925.5 million, up 7.6 per cent, boosted by a $37 million extra week; on a comparable basis, sales rose 3.4 per cent.
Growth spanned US retail, international, and wholesale segments.
Operating income edged up to $84.7 million, though margin dipped to 9.2 per cent.
Full-year sales increased 1.9 per cent to $2.9 billion.

Missile strikes on Iran and retaliatory attacks have put Strait of Hormuz and Bab el Mandeb at risk, threatening key trade routes that are vital for exports to Europe and the US.
Rerouting via the Cape of Good Hope would only add up to 20 days to shipments while pushing up freight and insurance costs.
Amidst rising uncertainty, exporters now fear order delays and cancellations.

Apparel exporters have urged the government to waive airport demurrage charges on export cargo due to flight disruptions caused by the West Asian crisis. The Apparel Export Promotion Council highlighted that unforeseen international developments have stranded consignments, leading to undue financial burdens on exporters. They requested a waiver to provide relief and maintain continuity in air cargo trade.

Gold prices surged as major strikes on Iran, reportedly killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, intensified geopolitical tensions and fears of economic instability. The attacks triggered further retaliatory actions, creating a volatile environment that benefits gold as a safe-haven asset. Analysts predict continued price increases, with major banks forecasting gold to reach $6,000-$6,300 per ounce.

Australia’s cotton exports in 2025 shifted towards higher volumes but lower values, with shipments reaching $2.228 billion as prices declined.
Average export prices fell to $1.81 per kg, reflecting improved global supply and cautious demand.
China, India and Vietnam led imports, highlighting Asia’s dominance.
Overall, competitive pricing supported demand.

Mexico’s apparel imports fell 9.12 per cent to $6.655 billion in 2025 amid softer consumer demand and retail inventory correction, though volumes stayed above 2023 levels.
Trousers and T-shirts led imports, with knitwear dominating over woven garments.
Man-made fibres held the largest share, while unisex apparel topped gender segments.
Asia-Pacific remained the primary sourcing region.

National Fibre Scheme: The textiles ministry has begun work on the scheme that will address structural inefficiencies and bridge quality gaps to position India against global leaders such as China, Bangladesh and Italy.

Crocs is strengthening its manufacturing in India. The footwear brand sees India as a key hub for its global supply chain diversification. Despite past tariff challenges, the company has expanded its factory presence. This move aims to serve both export markets and the growing Indian consumer base. India is now a top focus for Crocs’ retail expansion.