Introduction to India’s Textile Export Landscape
Textile exports from India have emerged as a key player in the global apparel and fabric trade. Being a country with a strong culture, a wide production capacity, and a wide textile range, India has become a leading competitor in the global market. India’s textile sector forms the backbone of India’s manufacturing industry. The textile industry in India is not only traditional – it is rapidly developing and modernising and increasing its presence on a global scale.
Whether you are wondering where India is exporting its textiles, the major buyers of Indian textiles and how Indian garment exports are rising in each successive year, then you will get the real picture in the following article.
This guide by textiletrendshub.com will walk you through the scope of textile exports from India, covering major destinations, product types, key companies, and future trends. It does not matter whether you are researching the industry or planning to enter it; this article has some insights to count on.
Why is India a Key Player in Global Textile Exports?
India’s position as a global leader in textile exports is no accident, and it’s a result of tradition, scale, and strategic advantage. Further, the country’s deep-rooted textile culture, combined with modern manufacturing capabilities, allows it to serve a wide range of global markets.
The Indian textile industry is still diversifying in both traditional and technical textiles. India is well endowed with a strong network of mills and weaving units, as well as skilled labour, with some of the top textile industries in India in Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Punjab. The textile industry in India, state-wise, is so huge that the state gives its own contribution to the textile industry. Like cotton in Gujarat, silk in Karnataka and wool in Punjab.
What truly sets India apart is its scale. According to the new reports, the textile industry market size in India has crossed $200 billion, with export-led growth projected to be aggressive. This is such that textile exports from India are not only significant but critical to the global fashion and fabric economy. Improvement in textile manufacturing in India has resulted in enhanced quality and exportability.
At textiletrendshub.com, we believe this growth is only the beginning. With innovation, sustainability, and digitalisation, India is set to strengthen its leadership in the global textile value chain.
Export Trends: Data and Growth Over the Years
Textile exports from India have now played a vital role in the country’s economic growth and global trade relationships. India’s textile sector produces everything, starting with traditional fabrics to high-tech synthetics. Over the last decade, significantly, the textile industry has grown and made this country one of the largest exporters of textiles in the world.
Free trade agreements and incentives, like PLI, favour textile exports from India. India exported its textile products in 2022 (April 2021–March 2022) to a record value of USD 44.4 billion, growing over 41% year-on-year. This was supported by the rising demand in the USA, Middle Eastern and European markets. The best export goods, according to official data provided by the ministry and industry, were cotton textiles, ready-made garments, man-made fibre textiles and home textiles.
✅ Leading Export Destinations
- USA: 27%
- European Union: 18%
- UAE: 6%
Comparing the trend from FY 2017–18, in which the exports were slightly around USD 35.7 billion, to the year 2022, we realise that the textile exports from India have not only recovered after the pandemic but also gone beyond pre-COVID levels. The availability of a strong export base is due to consistent government support in the form of PLI schemes and increased manufacturing capabilities. The volume of Indian textile exports is projected to increase greatly by the year 2030.
At textiletrendshub.com, we believe that sustainability, digital transformation, and technical innovation are closely associated with the future of the textile industry in India. With these factors in play, experts predict that textile exports from India could reach USD 65 billion by FY26, making it a global textile powerhouse. The history of the textile exports from India reflects a perfect blend of heritage, innovation, and global competitiveness, thus guaranteeing India a vital place in the textile trade in the upcoming years.
Top Export Destinations by Country
Textile exports from India are a crucial part of the fashion and fabric market across all nations and are exported to more than 100 countries around the globe. Among all these, the USA can be considered a major purchaser, as the amount of textile exports from India to the USA takes a substantial percentage of revenues. India has been exporting textiles to the United States to a large extent, with over USD 9 billion of products just in FY 2023 alone being exported by India, showing its high demand for Indian cotton garments, home textiles, and yarn. India’s textile export strategy revolves around the quality and price.
Considering textile exports from India by country, the top destinations consistently include the USA, the European Union (particularly Germany, France, and Italy), the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bangladesh, and the UK as the major ones. These regions represent both raw material importers and finished garment buyers. The European Union remains one of the powerful markets for sustainable fabrics, whereas the UAE and Bangladesh are concentrated on cost-effective bulk sourcing.
As per the reports of analysis by textiletrendshub.com, textile exports from India are expected to grow steadily across these markets due to the combination of government incentives, increasing demand for eco-friendly materials and improved trade logistics of India. Surat and Tiruppur are well-known as major textile hubs in India.
If we consider textile exports from India by country, the shifting global supply chains post-COVID have only boosted India’s competitiveness. As Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) are under discussion and global demand regains its momentum, the country is going to consolidate its place as the top exporter of textile products.
Key Export Categories and Garment Products
When analysing textile exports from India, it is apparent that the nation has a broad range of products that satisfy the world demand. India’s export profile is very rich, diverse and even sophisticated, ranging from raw materials to finished goods such as luxury home furnishings.
Garment exports from India, in particular readymade garments such as shirts, trousers, kurtas, sarees and fashion accessories, form one of the great contributors to Indian exports. The US, EU, and Middle East marketplaces highly demand these products. Clothing production in India is adapting rapidly to global fashion demands.
Other textiles that India also exports include cotton fabrics, synthetic blends, silk and wool products. Textile exports from India consist of home textiles such as bed linen, curtains, towels, and cushion covers, which are in demand due to their quality workmanship and their comparative prices. The exports are on the rise for eco-friendly products such as bamboo textiles. Organic cotton fabric from India is now in high global demand.
Leading the way are several top 10 garment export companies in India that are consistently pushing the volumes through innovation and quality. These companies serve some of the biggest global fashion brands, making India’s growing reputation in the textile sector. A fabric company in India usually serves both domestic and international needs.
At textiletrendshub.com, we believe these categories will keep increasing in strength as the Indian production increases and ventures into the new markets. Whether you’re a fashion retailer or fabric wholesaler, knowing the core strengths of textile exports from India can guide your sourcing strategy.
