While India remains a global leader in cotton production, its exports of cotton fabrics and made-ups (excluding yarn) painted a mixed picture in FY23 compared to previous years. Value wise cotton fabrics & made-ups exports reached $ 6.81 billion in FY23, a slight decline from previous years.
The slight decline in cotton fabrics and made-ups exports might be a strategic shift. The Indian government aims to increase exports in the value-added segment of the textile industry. This strategy focuses on finished garments and technical textiles, potentially leading to higher export value despite a potential dip in fabric and made-up exports. Meanwhile, initiatives like Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (ATUFS) reforms and Market Access Initiative (MAI) schemes are likely contributed to some export growth. These schemes are aimed to incentivize investments in modern technology and improve market access for exporters.
Destination-wise performance
Bangladesh remains the top importer of Indian cotton fabrics and made-ups, accounting for over 34 per cent of total exports. Sri Lanka and Vietnam also witnessed significant growth in imports. However, exports to China, the second-largest importer, have declined. This could be due to factors like rising competition or changing trade dynamics. Perhaps, what works for Bangladesh is its proximity to India, competitive prices, and strong trade. In case of China, rising domestic production and potential trade tensions might explain the decline in exports to this market.
Looking ahead
Achieving the ambitious $100 billion textile export target by 2025-26 requires significant improvement in productivity and global competitiveness for India. For this, the way forward is skilling initiatives like SAMARTH and infrastructure projects like MITRA parks hold promise for future growth.
Table: Exports of cotton fabrics & made-ups
|
Year |
Cotton fabrics & made-ups exports ($ bn) |
Top importing countries |
||
|
FY23 |
6.81 |
Bangladesh, China (Decreased), Sri Lanka, Vietnam |
||
|
FY22 (estimated) |
6.5 (approx.) |
Bangladesh, China, Sri Lanka, Vietnam |
||
|
FY21 |
Not Available |
Bangladesh, China, Sri Lanka, Vietnam |
India's cotton fabrics and made-ups exports show promise, but a clear picture requires data for direct year-on-year comparisons. The government's strategic push towards value addition and focus on skilling the workforce could lead to a significant rise in exports in the coming years. However, to understand the full story, monitoring export trends across all major destinations and the impact of government policies is crucial.
