Textile & Apparel Exports Fall 4.26% Yoy To USD 3.08 Bn In February

(MENAFN- KNN India) New Delhi, Mar 17 (KNN) India's textile and apparel exports declined in February 2026, reflecting subdued global demand, particularly in the ready-made garment (RMG) segment, even as cumulative exports for the financial year showed marginal growth.

Textile exports fell 0.31 per cent year-on-year (YoY) to USD 1.68 billion in February, while apparel exports contracted more sharply by 8.60 per cent to USD 1.40 billion. As a result, combined textile and apparel exports declined 4.26 per cent to USD 3.08 billion, compared to USD 3.21 billion in the same month last year.

Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) Chairman A. Sakthivel however said that the RMG sector continues to demonstrate resilience despite persistent global economic uncertainties and supply chain disruptions.

He further said that the sector has been navigating multiple external challenges, including subdued demand in key markets

Cumulative Trends (April–February 2025–26)

During the April–February period, textile exports declined 2.1 per cent to USD 18.36 billion. In contrast, apparel exports recorded a marginal increase of 0.51 per cent, reaching USD 14.53 billion.

Overall, combined exports of textiles and apparel stood at USD 32.89 billion, marking a 1.00 per cent decline compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.

The share of textiles and apparel in India's total exports also moderated to 8.41 per cent in February fr0m 8.72 per cent a year earlier, and to 8.16 per cent for the cumulative period.

Import Trends

On the import side, raw cotton imports declined sharply by 59.44 per cent in February. However, cumulative imports of cotton raw and waste rose significantly by 60.82 per cent during April–February.

Imports of textile yarn, fabrics and made-ups increased by 5.50 per cent in February and 5.31 per cent over the cumulative period, indicating continued reliance on select input materials.

Global Challenges and Outlook

Sakthivel emphasised that the sector continues to face headwinds fr0m weak demand in key markets, supply chain disruptions, and geopolitical uncertainties, particularly in the United States and parts of West Asia. These factors have led to cautious sourcing patterns among global buyers.

“Going forward the elevated freight rates and the increased cost of inputs have started placing additional pressure on exporters, affecting overall margins and operational planning for manufacturers and exporters across the value chain,” he added.

The AEPC expressed confidence in the sector's long-term prospects and highlighted the potential to leverage recent free trade agreements to support export growth going forward, noting that despite these challenges, the industry remains focused on market diversification, product innovation and supply chain efficiency improvements.

(KNN Bureau)

MENAFN17032026000155011030ID1110873749