India's apparel exports up 1.6% in April-January of FY26 despite supply chain challenges: AEPC

Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) Chairman A Sakthivel has said that India's apparel exports have shown modest growth of 1.6 % to reach $13,129.1 million during April-January 2025-26 as compared to the corresponding period of the previous financial year. He said this modest growth occurred despite geopolitical uncertainties and supply chain challenges.

He noted that exports to several key markets also showed impressive performances, including Italy (16%), the UK (4.8%), UAE (10.6%), Saudi Arabia (18.5%), Germany (8.7%), and Spain (7.1%). Strong performance has also been recorded in Japan, Iceland, and Australia.

AEPC Chairman said that over the years, the council has consistently taken up industry concerns with the government and relevant stakeholders to promote, protect, and safeguard the interests of the ready-made garment (RMG) sector.

He added that the government's key initiatives such as PM MITRA Parks, Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme, Mega Textile Parks, the Export Promotion Mission, and the SAMARTH skilling programme, will surely accelerate growth of the sector.

He further said additional support measures such as promoting extra-long staple cotton cultivation, enhancing ease of doing business, improving credit access for MSMEs through expanded credit guarantee coverage, and establishing national centres of excellence for skilling also expected to provide significant momentum to the industry.

Looking ahead, he said the council has planned to promote the global reach of Indian apparel exports by diversification of markets to newer and non-traditional markets through its export promotion activities in 2026-27.

While the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry’s (CITI) latest data report showed a decline of 3.68% in textile exports and 3.84% fall in apparel exports in January 2026 compared with January 2025. Overall, combined exports of textiles and apparel plunged 3.75% to $3,275.44 million in January 2026, from $3,403.19 million in January 2025.