South Korea’s apparel imports declined by 1.0 per cent to $9.1 billion in the January–September 2025 period, reflecting overall weak retail demand and slower consumer spending across the country.

This decline was uneven, as knitted apparel imports rose marginally while non-knitted categories fell. Concurrently, South Korean textile exports of man-made filaments and knitted fabrics dropped, as local producers wrestled with rising costs and stiff competition from major manufacturing hubs like China and Vietnam.

Imports of knitted apparel and clothing accessories (Chapter 61) were valued at $4.06 billion in the first nine months of 2025, a slight increase from $4.02 billion in the corresponding period of 2024. This marginal rise suggests stable demand for lightweight and casual knitwear, a segment strongly supported by South Korea’s powerful athleisure and fast-fashion markets.

Imports of non-knitted apparel and clothing accessories (Chapter 62) declined by 1.7 per cent to $5.04 billion from $5.13 billion in January–September 2024. This fall signals weaker orders for formalwear and outerwear, categories impacted by shifting consumer preferences toward versatile, comfortable, and less structured apparel.

Overall, the data highlights a clear divergence in consumer spending: South Koreans are prioritizing comfort and casual wear (knits) while pulling back on purchases of more traditional, tailored garments (non-knits).