According to the General Administration of Customs, China’s textile and apparel exports in the first five months amounted to US$116.67 billion, reflecting a slight year-on-year increase of 1.0%. Among them, textile exports totaled US$58.48 billion, rising by 2.5% year-on-year, while apparel exports reached US$58.2 billion, decreasing by 0.5% year-on-year.

In CNY-denominated terms, textile and garment exports totaled 838.33 billion yuan, marking a 2.1% year-on-year increase. Specifically, textile exports were 420.14 billion yuan and apparel exports amounted to 418.19 billion yuan, increasing by 3.7% and 0.6% year-on-year, respectively.

Figure: Monthly Statistics of China’s Textiles and Apparel Exports from Oct. 2024 to May, 2025

Currently, textile exports continue to grow, while clothing exports face pressure. The international market remains polarized, and external uncertainty is increasing. In light of multiple challenges such as adjustments in the global trade pattern, heightened economic and trade friction between China and the United States, and rising green trade barriers, textile foreign trade enterprises should strengthen their adaptability to the complex external environment and stringent economic and trade regulation standards. This will enhance the stability and flexibility of the industrial supply chain and help advance the value chain to a higher level. While consolidating key markets like Europe and the United States, they should also focus on RCEP, “Belt and Road” initiative countries, and other key regions. By considering their resource endowments alongside market characteristics, textile foreign trade enterprises will gradually enhance their channel networks and local services to improve market response efficiency. Meanwhile, they should seize the opportunity presented by global digital transformation, actively exploring cross-border e-commerce and other paths for new business integration to cultivate new momentum in foreign trade.

Source: CHINA TEXTILE LEADER Express