A recent analysis of collated export data by CITI for February 2025 reveals some intriguing trends for Indian textile and apparel sector.

In February 2025, Indian textile exports saw a downturn, registering a 7.35 per cent decrease compared to February 2024. This decline is further reflected in the cumulative exports of textiles and apparel, which show a 2.27 per cent degrowth over the same period.  

However, the apparel sector reflects a different story. In February 2025, apparel exports saw a growth of 3.97 per cent compared to the previous year. This positive momentum is also evident in the cumulative exports from April 2024 to February 2025, where apparel exports grew 10.71 per cent over the corresponding period of previous year.

Table: Textile & apparel exports (excluding jute, carpet & handicrafts)

Looking at the broader picture, from April 2024 to February 2025, Indian textile exports grew by 4.63 per cent compared to the previous year. The cumulative exports of textiles and apparel during this period also registered a healthy growth of 7.19 per cent as compared to April 23-February 24.

The data highlights a nuanced picture of the Indian textile and apparel export market. While the textile sector experienced a setback in February 2025, its overall performance shows resilience. The apparel sector, on the other hand, is a bright spot, driving overall growth. This mixed performance highlights the dynamic nature of the industry and the need for stakeholders to adapt to evolving market conditions.

A comparative picture

For a more comprehensive view, of the export trends here is the data for the last two months of 2024 and early 2025.

Table: Textile and apparel exports

The comparison between January and February 2025 reveals a downward trend in exports across all categories. Textile exports decreased from $1,796.29 million in January to $1,681.07 million in February. Similarly, apparel exports dropped from $1,606.42 million to $1,534.94 million. The overall textile and apparel exports also saw a decline from $3,402.71 million in January to $3,216.01 million in February.  

While the data for December 2024 is unavailable in the provided source, the trend from January to February 2025 indicates a slowdown in export activity. This decline could be attributed to various factors such as seasonal fluctuations, changes in demand, or other economic influences. Further investigation into these factors would be essential to understand the reasons behind this trend.

The three-month analysis indicates a fluctuating trend in India’s textile and apparel exports. The increase from December to January could be attributed to seasonal demand or other market factors, while the subsequent decline in February suggests a potential slowdown or correction in the market. It's crucial for industry stakeholders to monitor these trends closely and adapt their strategies accordingly.