China’s Textile, Apparel Exports Jump 21.5% in September
China’s textile and apparel exports surged 21.5% year on year to US$ 29.66 billion in September 2026, marking a record for the month as recovering overseas demand and a low comparison base supported growth.
According to figures released by China’s General Administration of Customs, textile exports rose 19.0% to US$ 14.24 billion, while apparel shipments increased 24.0% to US$ 15.42 billion. Combined exports grew 3.8% over August, with textiles rising 12.2% and apparel declining 2.9%.
The September rebound lifted textile and apparel exports for January–September to US$ 232.95 billion, up 5.1% year on year. The growth rate accelerated by two percentage points from the January–August period. Textile exports increased 5.4% to US$ 112.26 billion, while apparel exports rose 4.8% to US$ 120.69 billion.
Growth was more moderate in renminbi terms. Combined exports increased 0.8% to approximately 1.60 trillion yuan in the first nine months, comprising textile shipments of 773.32 billion yuan and apparel exports of 830.34 billion yuan. In September alone, combined exports rose 15.7% to 201.26 billion yuan.
ASEAN remained China’s largest textile and apparel export market during January–August, with shipments reaching US$ 33.41 billion, up 0.8% year on year. Over the same eight-month period, exports to the US increased 16.8% and those to the European Union rose 2.3%. Shipments to Japan and South Korea fell 1.1% and 12.2%, respectively.
Overseas inventory replenishment and the execution of existing orders are expected to support exports in the fourth quarter. However, uneven demand across major markets, changes in tariff policies and manufacturers’ ability to secure fresh orders will shape the sector’s growth trajectory.
