"Though India’s textile and clothing (T&C) exports grew 2.04 per cent to reach $37,497.18 million in FY 2018-19, apparel exports declined 3.38 per cent in the last (FY 18-19) to $16156.27 million. Of this, woven apparels ruled the segment with exports of $ 8,335.91 and accounting for 22 per cent in the total T&C export of India."

Though India’s textile and clothing (T&C) exports grew 2.04 per cent to reach $37,497.18 million in FY 2018-19, apparel exports declined 3.38 per cent in the last (FY 18-19) to $16156.27 million. Of this, woven apparels ruled the segment with exports of $ 8,335.91 and accounting for 22 per cent in the total T&C export of India.

MMF exports grow by 5.62 per cent

India’s manmade filament (MMF) exports grew 5.62 per cent in FY 2018-19 to $2291.70 million. Turkey was the top export market with exports totaling $296.26 million. Textured yarn of polyester was exported the most, with a value of $832.37 million in FY 18-19 over the corresponding period with a growth of 3.39 per cent.

MMSF exports register negative growth

Export of man-made staple fiber (MMSF) totaled $1905.16 million with a negative growth of 7.04 per cent and accounted for only 5 per cent share in the total T&C exports of India. Turkey was the top market for India’s MMSF products with exports totaling to $184.96 million. Even exports to Bangladesh witnessed a drop of 25.64 per cent to $167 million. Staple fiber of polyester is ruling the basket. Export totaled $320.90 million with a growth of 22.28 per cent in FY 18-19 over the corresponding period.

Declining demand in UAE causes apparel exports to fall

As demand for apparels declined in the UAE, India’s exports too fell for the second consecutive fiscal. In FY 18-19 apparel exports dropped 3.38 per cent to $16156.27 million over the corresponding period. Of this, exports of woven apparels dropped 4.45 per cent to $8335.91 million and accounted for 22 per cent share in the total T&C exports of India. The USA was top market for India’s woven apparels, exports totaled $2231.06 million, a growth of 4.86 per cent.

Demand for knitted apparels also dropped in the international market by 2.21 per cent to $7820.36 million in the last fiscal over the corresponding period. The US was the leading importer of knitted apparels with exports growing 11.41 per cent to $1394.89 million.

Knitted Fabrics

Demand for knitted fabrics grew by 28.37 per cent in FY 18-19 to $440.21 million over the corresponding period. Sri Lanka was the leading importer of knitted fabrics with exports totaling to $ 173.66 million, growth of 25.66 per cent in FY 18-19 over the corresponding period. Exports to the US, Bangladesh and Ethiopia too grew by 39.72 per cent, 33.09 per cent and 79.62 per cent respectively.

Countries-wise T&C Exports

Of all countries, the US retained its position as India’s leading export market with exports increasing by 7.13 per cent to $8297.40 million in the last fiscal. Exports to the US currently account for a 22 per cent of the total T&C exports from India. Though T&C exports to the UAE declined by 24.90 per cent to $2569.73 million in FY 18-19, the country is still the second largest market for India’s T&C products and accounts for 7 per cent in India’ total T&C exports.

Bangladesh too has retained its position as the third largest market with a growth of 2.66 per cent to $2377.19 million in FY 18-19. Cotton was the top product exports growing 3.02 per cent in the last fiscal year. Exports of knitted fabric also increased 33.09 per cent to $71.76 million.