India world’s sixth largest exporter of Textile & Apparel in 2023

According to the government of India, the country will emerge as the 6th largest exporter of textiles and apparel in the world in 2023. The share of the country in the world’s textiles and apparel market was 3.9 % in 2023. 

China remains the largest exporter of textiles and apparel in the world followed by the European Union and Bangladesh.

According to the provisional data released by the government, the export of textiles, apparel, and handicrafts during April-October month of the financial year 2024-25 was USD 21.358 billion. The total import during the period was USD 5.425 billion.

India mainly imports textiles and apparel for re-exporting purposes or as raw materials.

Export of Textile, Apparel, and Handicrafts during April-October FY 25

The total exports of textiles, apparel, and handicraft were USD 21.358 billion during the April-October period of FY 2025.

The growth in the export of all these commodities as compared to April-October FY 24 was 7 %. All the major commodities registered positive growth in exports except the wool and handloom sectors, which declined by 19% and 6% respectively.

Share in Export during April-October FY 25

The top five export commodities in the textile, apparel, and handicrafts were as follows 

1. Ready Made Garments. The total export during the period was USD 8.733 billion. Share in total exports 41%. Growth as compared to last year same period 12%.
2. Cotton Textiles- USD 7.082 billion. Share in total export 33%. Growth 1%
3. Manmade Textiles- USD 3.105. Share in total export 15%. Growth rate of 5%.
4. Silk products - USD 98 million. Share in total export 0.45 %. Growth rate of 40%.
5. Wool and Woollen Textiles - USD 95 million. Share in total export around 0.4 %. Negative growth of 19 %.

Major Export Markets for Indian Textiles, Apparel, and Handicrafts were the United States of America and the European Union.

Import of Textile, Apparel, and Handicrafts during April-October FY 25

• Import of textiles, apparel, and handicrafts products during April-October 2024 was USD 5.425 billion.
• The imports have declined by 1% as compared to the same period last year.
• Man-made Textiles has the largest share in total imports with USD 1.859 billion. The total share in imports was 34% during April-October of FY25.
• In second place was cotton textile with an import value of USD 1.721 billion.
• In third place were readymade garments with an import of USD 1.721 billion.
• Percentage-wise the maximum growth was registered in Handloom products which grew by 56%.