Exports of apparel from India shot up by 17.9 per cent during April to August 2014. In the fiscal year 2013-2014, India’s apparel exports increased by 15.7 per cent year-on-year. In August 2014, India’s clothing exports rose 23 per cent compared to August 2013. 

In January to July 2014 Indian apparel exports to the US increased by 5.62 per cent year-on-year. Except for Vietnam (13.85 per cent) and India (5.62 per cent), US garment imports saw decline from all major suppliers during the seven-month period over the corresponding period of last year.

During the first half of 2014, India’s clothing exports to the EU surged 16.33 per cent year-on-year. During the period, EU’s total apparel imports increased at 12.63 per cent year-on-year.

In June 2014, garments imports by EU registered an increase of 19.29 per cent compared to the same month of the previous year. During the month, EU registered positive growth in apparel imports from all four top suppliers, with the highest import growth being registered by Bangladesh (33.07 per cent), followed by India (27.17 per cent).

Apparel exports from India have been helped by strong demands in non-traditional markets like Latin America, west Asia, southern Africa and east Asia.