India’s textile & apparel exports reach $21.36 billion in April-October 2024
03 January 2025, Mumbai
India’s textile and apparel (T&A) exports, including handicrafts, grew by 7 per cent to $21.36 billion during the April-October period of FY 2024-25, compared to $20.01 billion in the same period of FY 2023-24.
Ready-made garments (RMG) emerged as the largest contributor, accounting for 41 per cent of total exports, with $8.73 billion in exports, followed by cotton textiles ($7.08 billion) at 33 per cent, and man-made textiles at $3.1 billion (15 per cent).
The export performance showed significant growth across most categories, with RMG exports rising by 12 per cent, and cotton textiles by 1 per cent. However, wool and handloom products experienced declines of 19 per cent and 6 per cent, respectively.
Handicraft exports grew by 14 per cent, reaching $1.05 billion. The overall export growth was supported by strong demand in the US and EU markets, which collectively accounted for 47 per cent of India’s total textile and apparel exports.
Meanwhile, India’s textile and apparel imports decreased by 3 per cent to $5.004 billion during the same period, with man-made textiles contributing the largest share (34 per cent). Cotton textiles imports rised by 13 per cent, primarily due to increased imports of long-staple cotton fibre, indicating growing domestic production and consumption.
India remains the world’s 6th largest exporter of textiles and apparel, holding a 3.9 per cent share of the global market, reflecting the strength of its textile industry despite global challenges such as geopolitical instability.
