Textile-Apparel Exports Dip 1.84% in April-July as Apparel Shipments Slump

India's textile and apparel exports contracted 1.84% year-on-year to USD 11.96 billion during April-July 2026, according to an analysis by the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI). The decline was driven by a sharp drop in apparel shipments, which offset growth in the textiles segment.

Apparel exports fell 10.52% to USD 4.95 billion in the first four months of the financial year, while textile exports rose 5.38% to USD 7.01 billion. In the corresponding period last year, the combined segment had recorded exports of USD 12.18 billion.

July data showed some improvement in the overall segment, with textile and apparel exports growing 1.44% year-on-year to USD 3.14 billion. Textile shipments increased 5.94% to USD 1.87 billion, but apparel exports remained under pressure, declining 4.48% to USD 1.28 billion.

Within textiles, cotton yarn, fabrics, made-ups and handloom products recorded 8.4% growth in July to USD 1.11 billion. Man-made yarn, fabrics and made-ups rose marginally by 0.45% to USD 424.13 million.

Handicrafts, excluding handmade carpets, posted the strongest growth among listed textile categories, with exports rising 15.55% year-on-year to USD 177.06 million in July. For the April-July period, this segment surged 30.48% to USD 719.88 million.

Some segments remained weak. Jute manufacturing exports, including floor coverings, fell 14.95% in July and 13.8% during April-July. Carpet exports declined 1.47% in July, though they stayed marginally higher by 0.27% over the four-month period.

The analysis also highlighted a rise in imports of raw cotton and waste, which increased 46.01% year-on-year to USD 175.67 million in July. During April-July, such imports rose 53.63% to USD 588.75 million. Imports of textile yarn, fabric and made-up items increased 1.64% in July but declined 0.99% during April-July.

Overall merchandise exports grew 19.63% in July and 17.04% during April-July. The share of textiles and apparel in total exports stood at 7.11% in July and 6.88% during April-July, the CITI analysis said.