China made notable progress in head-of-state diplomacy in September, contributing to an improved foreign-trade environment. Against a backdrop of recovering overseas demand and a relatively low comparison base a year earlier, textile and apparel exports grew sharply in the month. Their value rose 21.5% year on year to nearly US$30 billion, a record high for September, lifting the cumulative export growth rate for January–September to 5.1%. According to the latest figures released by the General Administration of Customs, China’s textile and apparel exports reached US$29.66 billion in September, up 21.5% year on year. Both textiles and apparel registered rapid growth: textile exports increased 19% to US$14.24 billion, while apparel exports rose 24% to US$15.42 billion. In the first three quarters of the year, combined textile and apparel exports totaled US$232.95 billion, an increase of 5.1% year on year, with the growth rate two percentage points higher than in January–August.

Textile and apparel exports in renminbi terms:

In January–September 2026, China’s cumulative textile and apparel exports amounted to 1.6 trillion yuan, up 0.8% year on year (the same comparison applies below). Textile exports accounted for 773.32 billion yuan, up 1.2%, and apparel exports for 830.34 billion, up 0.4%.

In September, textile and apparel exports totaled 201.26 billion, increasing 15.7% year on year and 3.7% month on month. Textile exports came to 96.64 billion, up 13.4% year on year and 12.1% month on month; apparel exports reached 104.62 billion, up 18.0% year on year but down 3.0% month on month.

Textile and apparel exports in U.S. dollar terms:

In January–September 2026, cumulative textile and apparel exports reached US$232.95 billion, up 5.1% year on year. Of the total, textile exports were US$112.26 billion, up 5.4%, and apparel exports were US$120.69 billion, up 4.8%.

In September, textile and apparel exports amounted to US$29.66 billion, up 21.5% year on year and 3.8% month on month. Textile exports stood at US$14.24 billion, increasing 19.0% year on year and 12.2% month on month; apparel exports amounted to US$15.42 billion, increasing 24.0% year on year but declining 2.9% month on month.

Figure 1: Monthly Statistics of China’s Textile and Apparel Exports

Source: General Administration of Customs

ASEAN has remained China’s largest export market for textiles and apparel so far this year. From January to August, China’s textile and apparel exports to ASEAN reached US$33.41 billion, up 0.8% year on year. Exports to the United States and the European Union increased by 16.8% and 2.3%, respectively, while shipments to Japan and South Korea declined by 1.1% and 12.2%, respectively.

Recent China–U.S. economic and trade consultations have yielded fresh progress, with the two sides reaching a consensus on tariff arrangements for certain products, raising expectations for a more favorable outlook for China’s textile and apparel exports to the U.S. Looking ahead to the fourth quarter, overseas inventory replenishment and the fulfillment of previously placed orders are expected to continue supporting exports. However, divergent demand trends across major markets, changes in tariff policies, and the industry’s ability to secure new orders will remain key factors shaping export performance.

Source: CHINA TEXTILE LEADER Express