India continues to hold a prominent position in the global apparel market, with its exports making significant inroads across key apparel categories.
According to data from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (India), OEC, and Trade Map, which was further analysed by Apparel Resources, India’s performance in kidswear, women dresses and men’s shirts showed improvement in 2023, while the T-shirts and trousers category faced stiff competition from low-cost manufacturing countries.
Kidswear: India leads with 9 per cent of global imports
India exported kidswear worth US $ 1,085.49 million, capturing an impressive 9 per cent share of global imports in this category. This makes kidswear one of the standout performers for Indian apparel, positioning the country as a critical supplier for children’s clothing in global markets.
With a total global import volume of US $ 12,052 million, India’s stronghold in this segment indicates robust demand from international buyers.
T-shirts: A highly competitive market
India’s T-shirt exports amounted to US $ 2,093.39 million, with the country holding 3.69 per cent of the global market share. While the global import volume for T-shirts stands at US $ 56,720 million, India’s share, though smaller compared to categories like kidswear, underscores the stiff competition in this global commodity.
Given the rising consumer demand for casual and comfortable wear, T-shirts remain a vital export segment for India, but it faces significant competition from other low-cost manufacturing hubs such as Bangladesh that exported US $ 10,862.52 million worth of t-shirts in 2023 as per EPB’s data.
Trousers: Steady growth but room for improvement
In the trousers category, India exported goods worth US $ 1,279.8 million, securing a 3.85 per cent share of global imports, which totaled US $ 33,224.91 million. While this reflects a steady presence, the growth potential in this segment could be further explored, especially as demand for versatile and sustainable trouser options increases globally.
Men’s Shirts: Strong position in global markets
With US $ 1,713.38 million in men’s shirt exports, India holds 8.06 per cent of the global import market. The world imported around US $ 21,250.8 million worth of men’s shirts in 2023, making this another significant category for Indian manufacturers. India’s competitive pricing and established reputation for quality shirt production contribute to its strong position in this segment.
Ladies Dresses: Capturing over 7 per cent of the market
India exported US $ 1,325.41 million worth of ladies’ dresses, capturing 7.14 per cent of the global import market, valued at US $ 18,560.73 million. The demand for women’s dresses, coupled with India’s versatile production capabilities and expertise in this segment, ensures a solid foothold in global markets.
Simply put, while India performs exceptionally well in categories like kidswear, men’s shirts and ladies’ dresses, there remains room for growth in areas such as T-shirts and trousers. India’s continued push towards enhancing capacities in apparel manufacturing, alongside leveraging its existing strengths, could position it to not only maintain but expand its influence in the global market in the years to come.
