India has clocked top position in exports of men’s and boys’ knitwear shirts to the US.
India’s share in knitwear shirts imports by the US stood at 8.7 per cent in June. After a dip in 2014, India’s market share has been growing steadily. In 2013, India’s market share was 6.4 per cent and dropped to 6.2 per cent in 2014. From then it has been steadily increasing, and in 2016 it stood at 7.8 per cent.

Heavy investments increased India’s share in exports.

Compared to that, China’s market share, which was 11 per cent in 2012, dropped to 9.6 per cent in 2016 and is now 8.5 per cent. While China’s loss is India’s gain, Vietnam is running India close. Bangladesh is also increasing its market share.

What can really go against India is the recent appreciation of the rupee against the dollar. The country is losing its edge because of rising production costs. This makes competing with Vietnam or other countries difficult. Exporters are quoting prices three to five per cent higher after the rupee appreciated, while the hike should be of around seven per cent to compensate them for the losses on account of currency fluctuations. On the other hand, competitors' currencies have depreciated and they are bringing down their prices.