India’s apparel exports declined 14.8 per cent in the July to September quarter of FY2025-26, weighed down by sluggish global demand and reduced orders from key international markets, according to the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (Citi).
The report said apparel exports dropped to USD 3,097 million in Q2FY2025-26 from USD 3,636 million in the same period last year. The decline reflects continued challenges in major destinations such as the United States and Europe.
In September 2025, apparel exports fell 10.14 per cent year-on-year, while textile exports were down 10.45 per cent. Combined textile and apparel exports declined 10.34 per cent over September 2024, CITI’s analysis showed.
Despite the quarterly slide, apparel exports showed a mild recovery over the first six months of FY2025-26. Cumulative exports between April and September 2025 grew 3.42 per cent from a year earlier, while textile exports contracted 1.85 per cent. Overall, textiles and apparel together posted a marginal growth of 0.39 per cent in the period.
Exports of cotton and handloom products fell 11.66 per cent in September compared to a year earlier, and handicraft exports declined 18.2 per cent. Meanwhile, imports of cotton raw and waste rose 23.87 per cent, suggesting shifts in domestic production and sourcing patterns.
The share of textiles and apparel in India’s total exports fell to 7.21 per cent in September 2025 from 8.58 per cent a year ago. By contrast, India’s overall merchandise exports rose 6.76 per cent in the same month, highlighting the strain on the textile and apparel segment within the broader export basket. |
