Textile Exports Shift to Gulf and East Asia to Combat Trump Tariff

India’s Textile Exports Performance for the First Half of FY 2025-26:

·         Resilience and Marginal Growth:
Despite facing global economic challenges and tariffs in key markets, India’s textile, apparel, and handicraft exports grew marginally by 0.1% from April to September 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.

·         Export Market Diversification:
Indian exports reached 111 countries, showing strong diversification and adaptability.

o    Major markets with significant growth:

§  UAE: 14.5%

§  UK: 1.5%

§  Japan: 19.0%

§  Germany: 2.9%

§  Spain: 9.0%

§  France: 9.2%

o    Other notable fast-growing markets:

§  Egypt: 27%

§  Saudi Arabia: 12.5%

§  Hong Kong: 69%

·         Export Value:
Exports to these 111 markets totaled USD 8,489.08 million (April–September 2025), up from USD 7,718.55 million in the previous year—a 10% increase (USD 770.3 million higher).

·         Key Sectors Driving Growth:

o    Ready Made Garments (RMG): 3.42% growth

o    Jute: 5.56% growth

·         Strategic Impact:
The results reflect the sector’s adaptability, competitiveness, and successful government policies encouraging export diversification, value addition, and integration into global markets under the “Make in India” and “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiatives.

 

[ABS News Service/13.11.2025]

India’s Textile & Apparel, including handicrafts exports, demonstrated remarkable resilience in the first half of FY 2025-26 despite global headwinds and tariff-related challenges in major markets. India’s global exports of textiles, apparel and made ups grew marginally by 0.1% during April–September 2025, compared to the corresponding period in 2024.

Some of the large export markets for India which clocked impressive growth rates were UAE (14.5%), UK (1.5%), Japan (19.0%), Germany (2.9%), Spain (9.0%) and France (9.2%). On the other hand, some of the other markets that recorded higher growth rates were Egypt (27%), Saudi Arabia (12.5%), Hong Kong (69%) etc.

These 111 markets contributed USD 8,489.08 million during April–September 2025, compared to USD 7,718.55 million in the previous year—reflecting a 10% growth and an absolute increase of USD 770.3 million.

The key sectors driving this growth included:

·         Ready Made Garments (RMG) of all Textiles – 3.42% growth

·         Jute – 5.56% growth

This performance highlights the sector’s adaptability and competitiveness in the face of global uncertainties.

India’s continued expansion into non-traditional markets reinforces the Government’s policy focus on export diversification, value addition, and global market integration under the “Make in India” and “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiatives.