India’s Textile & Apparel Exports Grow 6.32% In FY25; Driven By Robust Apparel Demand

India’s textile and apparel exports witnessed a combined growth of 6.32% during the financial year ending March 31, 2025, according to the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI).

The apparel segment led this upward trend, recording a strong 10.03% growth, as detailed in the latest analysis released by the industry body.

CITI Chairman Rakesh Mehra credited this positive trajectory to the resilience and adaptability of India’s textile sector, even in the face of global headwinds.

“The robust performance in apparel exports highlights our competitiveness and the confidence that global buyers place in Indian products,” he said.

Global Trade Shifts Create Strategic Openings

Mehra pointed to evolving global trade dynamics-especially the ongoing US-China trade tensions, as an emerging strategic opportunity for India.

“With the United States looking to diversify sourcing away from China, India stands well-positioned to become a reliable partner. However, this demands proactive diplomacy and a stable tariff regime,” he added.

India’s performance is particularly notable given that overall merchandise exports remained largely stagnant during the same period.

Textile exports alone grew by 3.61%, while apparel exports surged by 10.03%, outpacing broader export trends.

Despite the annual growth, March 2025 saw a 5.81% decline in textile exports compared to the same month last year.

However, apparel exports still recorded a 3.97% increase. The combined export value of textiles and apparel for March 2025 was down 1.63% year-on-year.

Policy & Partnerships Fuel Growth

CITI highlighted that government support through favourable policies and increased focus on trade partnerships have helped bolster exporter confidence.

The push for trade deals with the EU and the UK, along with efforts to expand market access in North America and East Asia, has begun to yield results.

Looking ahead, the Indian textile and apparel sector is optimistic about sustaining this momentum.

CITI believes that with the right policy environment and global positioning, India can further expand its footprint in global textile trade.

As global buyers continue to diversify supply chains, India’s stable manufacturing base, skilled labour, and improving logistics make it a top contender for long-term partnerships in the textile and apparel space.

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