Compared to the previous year, India's textile and apparel (T&A) exports increased by 6.32 per cent in in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025.

As per a report by the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI), this growth was primarily driven by the apparel sector, where exports increased by 10.03 per cent during the fiscal year.

Rakesh Mehtra, Chairman, CITI, says, this strong performance in apparel exports and steady growth in textiles amidst global challenges underscore the resilience, adaptability, and global competitiveness of the Indian textile and apparel industry."

He further attributed this success to the increasing momentum in establishing new trade partnerships and supportive policy decisions by the government, which have boosted confidence among exporters.

Mehra also emphasized the industry's optimism about sustaining this growth, particularly in light of shifting global trade dynamics.

The ongoing trade tensions between the US and China present a strategic opportunity for India, especially in textile and apparel trade. With the US actively looking to diversify its sourcing beyond China, India is well-positioned to become a reliable and preferred partner. However, this will require proactive diplomacy and a focused effort to secure a more favorable and stable tariff system, he notes.

In March 2025, India’s textile exports declined by 5.81 per cent compared to March 2024, while apparel exports increased by 3.97 per cent during the same period.

The combined T&A exports during the month declined by 1.63 per cent compared to March 2024.

However, for the period of April 2024 to March 2025, India’s textile exports grew by 3.61 per cent Y-o-Y while apparel exports grew by 10.03 per cent during the same timeframe.

CITI's analysis indicates, this growth outperformed the overall merchandise exports, which remained largely flat during the same period.