India’s textile and apparel (T&A) exports plunged 10.34 per cent in September 2025 — the first month after the 50 per cent reciprocal tariff was imposed in two tranches during August. The country’s textile and apparel exports recorded marginal growth of 0.39 per cent during the first six months of the current fiscal 2025–26 (April–March).
Shipments declined to $2.621 billion in September 2025, down from $2.923 billion in September 2024. Exports stood at $17.735 billion in April–September 2025, compared to $17.666 billion during the same period last year.
According to an analysis by the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI), shipments of both segments—textiles and apparel—saw a steep fall in September 2025. Apparel exports dropped 10.45 per cent to $997.54 million, down from $1,110.15 million in September 2024, while textile exports fell 10.45 per cent to $1.624 billion from $1.813 billion.
During April–September 2025, apparel exports inched up 3.42 per cent to $7.763 billion from $7.506 billion, while textile exports eased 1.85 per cent to $9.972 billion from $10.160 billion.
The share of T&A in India’s total merchandise exports fell to 8.06 per cent during April–September 2025, compared to 8.27 per cent in the same period last year, according to the latest trade data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Within the textiles segment, exports of cotton yarn, fabrics, made-ups, and handloom products declined 2.57 per cent to $5.796 billion in the first six months of FY26. Exports of man-made yarn, fabrics, and made-ups dropped 0.20 per cent to $2,400.85 million, while carpet exports decreased 1.60 per cent to $733.83 million.
In September 2025, exports of cotton yarn, fabrics, made-ups, and handloom products fell 11.66 per cent to $930.56 million, while exports of man-made yarn, fabrics, and made-ups dropped 2.34 per cent to $405.62 million. Carpet exports declined 15.28 per cent to $110.80 million.
Imports of raw cotton and waste surged 41.75 per cent to $676.71 million during April–September 2025, compared to $477.38 million in the same period of the previous fiscal. Imports of textile yarn, fabrics, and made-ups rose 10.02 per cent, from $1,197.13 million to $1,317.11 million.
In September 2025, imports of raw cotton and waste increased 23.87 per cent, from $134.20 million to $166.71 million. Imports of textile yarn, fabrics, and made-ups rose 16.62 per cent to $236.63 million.
In FY25, India’s apparel exports rose 10.03 per cent to $15.989 billion, while textile exports grew 3.61 per cent to $20.617 billion. Imports of raw cotton and waste surged 103.67 per cent to $1.219 billion, and imports of textile yarn, fabrics, and made-ups increased 8.69 per cent to $2.476 billion.
In FY24, India’s T&A exports stood at $34.430 billion, marking a 3.24 per cent decline from $35.581 billion in FY23. Imports of raw cotton and waste were valued at $598.63 million in FY24, down 58.39 per cent from $1.439 billion in FY23. Imports of textile yarn, fabrics, and made-ups also fell 12.98 per cent to $2.277 billion.
