Indian T&A exports marginally up in Dec 2025 despite textile dip

Apparel growth offsets textile decline, CITI export analysis shows.

Indian textiles and apparel (T&A) exports showed a mixed performance in December 2025, with modest overall growth driven largely by apparel, even as core textile segments continued to face pressure, according to a CITI analysis based on PIB data.

During December 2025, textile exports declined by 1.62 per cent year-on-year to $1,769.56 million, compared to $1,798.68 million in December 2024. In contrast, apparel exports registered a growth of 2.89 per cent, rising to $1,504.10 million from $1,461.90 million a year earlier. As a result, combined textile and apparel exports edged up by 0.40 per cent to $3,273.66 million in December 2025.

On a cumulative basis, exports of textiles and apparel during April–December 2025 stood at $26,531.25 million, marginally lower by 0.26 per cent compared to $26,599.14 million in the corresponding period of the previous year. Textiles exports during April–December 2025 declined by 2.19 per cent to $14,947.32 million, while apparel exports grew by 2.36 per cent to $11,583.93 million.

Within textiles, exports of cotton yarn, fabrics and made-ups fell by 3.96 per cent in December 2025, while jute manufactures declined sharply by 21.71 per cent. Carpet exports also slipped by 5.36 per cent during the month. However, man-made fibre yarn and fabric exports rose by 3.99 per cent, and handicrafts excluding handmade carpets grew by 7.20 per cent.

On the import front, cotton raw and waste imports surged sharply, rising 212.44 per cent year-on-year in December 2025 to $446.44 million. Imports of textile yarn, fabrics and made-ups declined marginally by 2.92 per cent during the month.

Textiles and apparel accounted for 8.50 per cent of India’s total exports in December 2025, down from 8.62 per cent in December 2024, reflecting the sector’s continued challenges amid global demand volatility.