India’s Textile and Apparel (T&A) exports have demonstrated resilience and steady growth despite a subdued global trade environment, reflecting the sector’s adaptability, diversified market presence, and strength in value-added and labour-intensive segments. The sector recorded positive growth for the second consecutive month, with exports in December 2025 rising by 0.40% over December, 2024  to USD 3.27 billion, following strong growth in November 2025.

During December 2025, export growth was broad-based across key segments, led by Handicrafts (7.2%), Ready-Made Garments (2.89%), and MMF yarn, fabrics and made-ups (3.99%). These trends underline India’s competitive advantage in value-added manufacturing, traditional crafts, and employment-intensive production, even amid volatile global demand conditions.

On a calendar-year basis (January–December 2025), textile and apparel exports remained stable at USD 37.54 billion, with notable cumulative growth in Handicrafts (17.5%), Ready-Made Garments (3.5%), and Jute products (3.5%). Stability at this scale, despite geopolitical tensions and inflationary pressures in key markets, reflects the sector’s structural strength and diversified export basket.

A key highlight of 2025 has been significant market diversification. During January–November 2025, India’s textile sector recorded export growth across 118 countries and export destinations compared to the corresponding period of 2024, reflecting a broad-based improvement in market performance. Strong expansion was observed in both emerging and traditional markets, including the United Arab Emirates (9.5%), Egypt (29.1%), Poland (19.3%), Sudan (182.9%), Japan (14.6%), Nigeria (20.5%), Argentina (77.8%), Cameroon (152.9%), and Uganda (75.7%), along with steady growth in key European markets such as Spain (7.9%), France, Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

This diversified growth pattern underscores the resilience of India’s textile export sector and the strengthening of India’s global market presence across a wide range of destinations.

This positive export performance is being reinforced by a coherent policy framework focused on enhancing competitiveness, value addition, and market expansion. Overall, the sustained export momentum, widening market footprint, and strong performance of value-added segments reaffirm India’s position as a reliable and resilient global sourcing hub for textiles and apparel. With continued emphasis on diversification, competitiveness, and MSME participation, the sector is well-placed to scale up exports and deepen its integration with global value chains in the period ahead.

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MAM/VN