NEW DELHI. India’s textile and apparel exports have demonstrated remarkable resilience and steady growth despite a subdued global trade environment. The sector recorded positive growth for the second consecutive month, with exports in December 2025 rising to USD 3.27 billion. This represents a 0.40 per cent increase compared to December 2024. The Ministry of Textiles attributes this success to the sector’s adaptability and its strength in labour-intensive and value-added segments.
Sectoral Performance and Value Addition
The export growth in December 2025 was broad-based across several key segments. India’s textile and apparel exports were led by a 7.2 per cent rise in handicrafts and a 2.89 per cent increase in Ready-Made Garments (RMG). Additionally, MMF yarn, fabrics, and made-ups saw a growth of 3.99 per cent. These figures underline India’s competitive advantage in traditional crafts and employment-intensive production, even as global demand remains volatile.
On a full-year basis, the total value of exports for the 2025 calendar year remained stable at USD 37.54 billion. Notable cumulative growth was observed in handicrafts (17.5 per cent) and jute products (3.5 per cent). Maintaining this scale of stability, despite geopolitical tensions and inflationary pressures in major Western markets, reflects the structural strength of India’s diversified export basket.
Global Market Diversification
A significant highlight of the past year has been the aggressive diversification of export destinations. Between January and November 2025, India’s textile and apparel exports recorded growth across 118 different countries. This expansion reflects a strategic shift away from over-reliance on a few traditional markets. Significant growth was seen in the United Arab Emirates (9.5 per cent), Egypt (29.1 per cent), and Japan (14.6 per cent).
Furthermore, emerging markets showed extraordinary increases, with exports to Sudan rising by 182.9 per cent and Cameroon by 152.9 per cent. Traditional European markets also remained steady, with growth recorded in Spain (7.9 per cent), France, Italy, and the United Kingdom. This widespread footprint ensures that the sector can withstand regional economic fluctuations while deepening its integration with global value chains.
Policy Framework and Future Outlook
The sustained momentum of India’s textile and apparel exports is reinforced by a coherent policy framework. The government continues to focus on enhancing competitiveness and supporting MSME participation in the global market. These targeted interventions have helped position India as a reliable and resilient global sourcing hub. The industry is now focusing on further value addition to move up the global value chain.
Additionally, the Ministry is encouraging the adoption of sustainable manufacturing practices to meet evolving global standards. With a continued emphasis on diversification and innovation, the sector is well-placed to scale up its operations. The latest data reaffirms that the Indian textile industry is successfully navigating global headwinds to secure its long-term growth trajectory.
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