"India’s textile and clothing (T&C) exports in the second quarter of FY 18-19, dropped 5.82 per cent to $8,935.55 million over its previous quarter. The US still remains top export market for India’s T&C goods, with goods worth of $2,059.37 million exported the US. Export of knitted apparels surpassed those of woven apparels. Knitwear exports totaled to $1941.34 million with a growth of 4.56 per cent"

India’s textile and clothing (T&C) exports in the second quarter of FY 18-19, dropped 5.82 per cent to $8,935.55 million over its previous quarter. The US still remains top export market for India’s T&C goods, with goods worth of $2,059.37 million exported the US. Export of knitted apparels surpassed those of woven apparels. Knitwear exports totaled to $1941.34 million with a growth of 4.56 per cent

Cotton T-shirts lead growth

In the knitted apparel segment, cotton T-shirts ruled with export value worth $414.54 million. Exports of knitted cotton nightdresses and pyjamas grew at a robust 58.76 per cent to $83.71 million while those of cotton knitted babies garments declined by 3.34 per cent. Export of woven apparel was $1,731.83 million, registering a decline of 21.06 per cent. This was led by the export of men’s cotton shirt which was worth $204.24 million but its growth dropped marginally by 1.05 per cent. Exports of dresses made from cotton and artificial fibres dropped significantly by 43.38 per cent and 42.13 per cent totaling $75.20 million and $42.71 million respectively.

Indian exports rule the USA market

Country-wise, the US remained largest export market for India’s textile and clothing goods. In the second quarter of FY 18-19, exports to US was $2059.37 million, a growth of 2.89 per cent. In the US, India’s apparel exports rule with a stake of 47 per cent from the total T&C exports to the country. India’s apparel exports to the US during the quarter was $969.72 million.

Bangladesh, second largest export market

India’s T&C exports to Bangladesh increased by 1.97 per cent over the previous quarter with exports totaling to $580.12 million. India’s cotton exports to Bangladesh totaled to $475.21 million with a growth of 8.04 per cent. Export to UAE was worth $567.14 million with negative growth of 13.21 per cent. Currently UAE is the third largest export market for India’s T&C goods. Knitted apparel is the biggest commodity exported to the UAE with an export value of $252.12 million. But growth of knitted apparel dropped 7.48 per cent. Exports to UK was $517.22 million in Q2 but perceived a negative growth of 9.40 per cent over the previous quarter. Exports of knitted apparel totaled to $213.99 million with a growth of 10.07 per cent. Woven apparel exports dropped by 35.68 per cent while those of carpets and other textile floor coverings declined by 2.53 per cent.

Cotton lead T&C exports to China

India’s T&C exports to China fell 22.49 per cent to $464.84 million. Cotton was the major commodity exported worth $369.91 million. But the commodity perceived a negative growth of 24.72 per cent over the previous quarter.

Growth in other European markets also declined. India’s exports to Germany totaled $417.62 million a negative growth of 2.77 per cent. Export to Spain was $225.42 million declining 25.43 per cent. Exports to Italy dropped 4.20 per cent with an export value of $197.67 million while to France dropped 26.60 per cent to $190.61 million. Exports to Netherlands totaled $173.45 million with a growth of 4.07 per cent.