India's Textile and Apparel Exports Decline by 2.22% in FY 26 Amid Tariff Challenges
India‘s textile and apparel exports degrow by -2.22% in FY 26: Govt Data
The Economic Times
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India's textile and apparel exports experienced a decline of 2.22% in fiscal year 2026, largely attributed to high tariffs imposed by the US. In March 2026 alone, exports shrank by 14.02% year-on-year, while raw cotton imports surged by 54.99% due to eased import duties.
- 01Textile and apparel exports fell by 2.22% in FY 26 compared to the previous fiscal year.
- 02In March 2026, exports declined by 14.02% year-on-year.
- 03Textile exports decreased by 2.86% and apparel exports by 1.36% during FY 26.
- 04March 2026 saw a 9.91% decline in textile exports and an 18.99% drop in apparel exports compared to the previous year.
- 05Raw cotton imports increased by 54.99% in FY 26 due to temporary easing of duties.
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According to data from the Ministry of Commerce, India's cumulative textile and apparel exports decreased by 2.22% in fiscal year 2026 compared to the previous year. This decline is largely attributed to high tariffs imposed by the United States, which have significantly impacted the sector. In March 2026, exports saw a sharp contraction of 14.02% year-on-year, with textile exports dropping by 9.91% and apparel exports by 18.99%. The Confederation of Indian Textile Industries reported that textile exports fell by 2.86% and apparel exports by 1.36% over the fiscal year. Interestingly, during this period, the import of raw cotton surged by 54.99%, as India temporarily eased import duties from August to December 2025 to mitigate supply chain issues.
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The decline in textile and apparel exports may lead to reduced revenue for manufacturers and could impact employment in the sector.
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