After three consecutive years of growth, Australia's imports of men’s or boys’ knitted or crocheted clothing declined by 12.2 per cent to 33 million units in 2023.

In terms of value, men’s knitwear imports declined to $232 million in 2023, following a strong upward trend over the previous decade. The most significant increase was recorded in 2021, when the value of imports grew by 40 per cent. The imports or boy’s and men’s knitted or crocheted clothing peaked $263 million in 2022 before decreasing in 2023.

Accounting for 17 million units or 52 per cent of the total imports, China emerged as the largest supplier of men’s knitwear to Australia in 2023 China’s imports more than doubled those from Bangladesh, the second-largest supplier, which shipped 8 million units. Vietnam ranked third, contributing 2 million units, or 6.1 per cent of total imports.

In value terms too, China maintained its top position as Australia’s largest supplier of men’s knitwear in 2023, with imports valued at $116 million, representing 50 per cent of total imports.

It was followed by Bangladesh with imports worth $35 million, while Vietnam imported men’s knitwear products worth for $26 million during the year.

However, the overall trend from 2013 to 2023 shows a robust annual growth rate of 5.5 per centin imports of men’s knitted or crocheted garments. The period saw notable fluctuations, with the sharpest rise occurring in 2021 when imports rose by 23 per cent compared to the previous year. Australia’s imports men’s or boy’s knitted or crocheted clothing contracted in2023 after reaching a peak of 37 million units in 2022.