From April to November 2024, India imported US $ 1.08 billion worth of clothing, and by the end of 2024-2025, it is expected to have imported about US $ 1.58 billion worth of clothing.
The primary imports, according to Indian Texpreneurs Federation (ITF) convenor Prabhu Dhamodharan, were clothing made of cotton (US $ 513 million) and clothing made of synthetic fibres (US $ 375 million). Additionally, US $ 420 million worth of knitted clothing and US $ 529 million worth of woven clothing were imported. Most of the clothing was imported from China, Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.
In a statement, he emphasised that textile clusters and retailers need to collaborate to tackle issues such as pricing, quality, design, and product range. He highlighted that Indian manufacturers, with their robust manufacturing base catering to global markets, are well-positioned to meet domestic demand and can efficiently align with retailer expectations through proper engagement.
In order to create strong supply chains that lessen reliance on imports and boost domestic manufacturing, retail brands in India must collaborate with local producers. Therefore, rather than focussing on imports, all domestic shops should concentrate on domestic sourcing.
