India’s ready-made garment (RMG) exports rose 2.4 per cent year-on-year to $12 billion during the first nine months of the current fiscal year (April–December), reflecting steady global demand despite headwinds in key markets.
The modest growth came even as shipments to the United States — India’s largest market for apparel exports — declined by 3 per cent during the period, signalling softer retail demand and inventory adjustments among American buyers.
Industry officials said diversification into markets such as the EU, the Middle East and emerging destinations helped offset the dip in US orders. Exporters also benefited from improved order flows in select product categories including cotton garments and value-added apparel.
However, sector representatives cautioned that margin pressures persist due to volatile raw material prices, logistics costs and currency fluctuations. They added that sustained recovery in Western consumer spending will be critical for stronger growth in the final quarter of the fiscal year.
The apparel industry remains a major contributor to India’s labour-intensive exports, and stakeholders are hopeful that supportive trade policies and demand revival in advanced economies will drive improved performance in the coming months.
