In the first quarter of 2026, China's apparel industry actively responded to challenges and issues such as weak international market demand and geopolitical disturbances in the Middle East. Supported by positive factors such as the steady recovery of the domestic economy and the implementation of various policies and measures to expand domestic demand, the overall economic performance of the industry remained basically stable. Production and domestic sales maintained recovery growth, and exports exhibited strong resilience. However, corporate profits were under severe pressure, and investment fell sharply.
Looking ahead to the whole year, facing the complex and severe external development situation, China's apparel industry still needs to effectively prevent and resolve various risk challenges such as intensified geopolitical conflicts, rising trade protectionism, and restricted international shipping. It should accelerate the cultivation of new productive forces, solidly promote the construction of a modern industrial system, continuously consolidate and enhance the industry's fundamental advantages and development resilience, and strive to promote the stable recovery and positive development of the industry economy.
I. Economic operation of the clothing industry
(1) Clothing production has rebounded steadily
In the first quarter, China's apparel industry chain operated in an orderly and healthy manner. Both the industrial added value and apparel production of enterprises above a certain size maintained slight growth, with the growth rate steadily rebounding compared to 2025. According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics, from January to March, the industrial added value of enterprises above a certain size in the apparel industry increased by 3.1% year-on-year, with the growth rate rebounding by 6.1 percentage points compared to the whole year of 2025; apparel production of enterprises above a certain size increased by 1.36% year-on-year, with the growth rate rebounding by 4.80 percentage points compared to the whole year of 2025. In terms of segmented categories, the production of woven apparel increased by 0.70% year-on-year, with the production of down apparel, suit sets, and shirts decreasing by 0.99%, 1.33%, and 9.84% respectively; the production of knitted apparel increased by 1.66% year-on-year.
