India’s textile and apparel (T&A) exports rose by 2.52 per cent to $15.113 billion during April-August of the current fiscal 2025–26 (FY26). Of the total, apparel exports increased by 5.78 per cent to $6.765 billion, while textile exports inched up by 0.02 per cent to $8.348 billion in the period.

Indian textile & apparel exports were shadowed by US tariffs, which came into effect last month. Growth rate in the outbound shipment slowed down from 3.8 per cent in the first four months of current fiscal.

India’s textile and apparel exports rose 2.52 per cent to $15.11 billion in April–August FY26, but growth slowed from 3.8 per cent earlier as US tariffs hit competitiveness.
Apparel exports grew 5.78 per cent, while textiles were flat.
August saw declines in both segments, and rising cotton imports added pressure to the sector’s trade balance.

It is pertinent to mention that the US had increased reciprocal tariff on Indian goods from 10 per cent to 25 per cent from August 7. After 20 days, it had imposed another 25 per cent penal tariff on Indian goods. It made Indian goods more expensive in the US and uncompetitive against other exporting countries.

According to an analysis by the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI), India maintained milder growth in textile and apparel exports during the period, compared to $14.742 billion during the first five months of the previous fiscal year 2024–25, when apparel exports were $6.395 billion, and textile exports stood at $8.346 billion.

In August 2025, the shipments of both segments—textiles and apparel—noticed mild decreases. Apparel exports eased by 2.65 per cent to $1.234 billion, down from $1.268 billion in August 2024, whereas textile exports fell by 2.79 per cent to $1.696 billion from $1.745 billion. During July 2025, apparel exports were up but textile exports were down.

The share of T&A in India’s total merchandise exports remained stable 8.21 per cent during April– August 2025, according to the latest trade data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Within the textiles segment, exports of cotton yarn, fabrics, made-ups, and handloom products eased by 0.62 per cent to $4.865 billion in the first five months of FY26. On the other hand, exports of man-made yarn, fabrics, and made-ups rose marginally by 0.24 per cent to $1,994.99 million, while carpet exports increased by 1.32 per cent to $623.08 million.

In August 2025, exports of cotton yarn, fabrics, made-ups, and handloom products eased by 2.32 per cent to $985.18 million, while exports of man-made yarn, fabrics, and made-ups fell 3.08 per cent to $406.15 million. Carpet exports dropped by 7.22 per cent to $119.21 million.

Imports of raw cotton and waste surged by 48.75 per cent to $510.48 million during April– August 2025, compared to $343.18 million in the same period of the previous fiscal. Imports of textile yarn, fabrics, and made-ups rose by 8.67 per cent, from $994.21 million to $1,080.45 million.

In August 2025, imports of raw cotton and waste increased by 21.32 per cent, from $104.89 million to $127.25 million. Imports of textile yarn, fabrics, and made-ups eased by 0.59 per cent to $227.35 million.

In FY25, India’s apparel exports rose by 10.03 per cent to $15.989 billion, while textile exports grew by 3.61 per cent to $20.617 billion. Imports of raw cotton and waste surged by 103.67 per cent to $1.219 billion, and imports of textile yarn, fabrics, and made-ups increased by 8.69 per cent to $2.476 billion.

In FY24, India’s T&A exports stood at $34.430 billion, marking a 3.24 per cent decline from $35.581 billion in FY23. Imports of raw cotton and waste were valued at $598.63 million in FY24, down 58.39 per cent from $1.439 billion in FY23. Imports of textile yarn, fabrics, and made-ups also fell by 12.98 per cent to $2.277 billion.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)