South Korea’s apparel imports increased by *.** per cent to $***.*** million in May ****, compared with $***.*** million in the corresponding month of ****. Imports of knitted apparel and clothing accessories (Chapter **) were valued at $***.*** million in May ****, *.* per cent higher than $***.*** million a year earlier. The imports of non-knitted apparel and clothing accessories (Chapter **) totalled $***.*** million, up *.** per cent from $***.*** million in May ****.
South Korea typically exports fabrics and textile materials and imports readymade garments. Between January and May ****, exports of man-made filaments, strips and similar materials (Chapter **) were valued at $***.*** million, down *.** per cent from $***.*** million a year earlier. Exports of knitted or crocheted fabrics (Chapter **) reached $***.*** million, easing **.** per cent from $***.*** million. These declines reflect weaker global textile demand and intensifying competition from lower-cost producers.
During May ****, exports of man-made filaments, strips and similar materials (Chapter **) were valued at $***.*** million, ** per cent down from $***.*** million a year earlier. Exports of knitted or crocheted fabrics (Chapter **) stood at $***.*** million, **.** per cent lower from $***.*** million.
