Witnessing the worst decline in last three decades, Tirupur’s apparel export industry recorded business worth Rs. 23,000 crores during the last financial year, significantly less when compared to Rs. 26,000 crores the previous year. This negative trend was also visible during the 45th India International Knit Fair (IIKF), held recently in the knitwear hub, as it was comparatively a dull show this time.
The apparel sourcing fair witnessed only 30 companies displaying their latest offerings, contrary to the organisers’ claim of 50+ overseas buyers and 100 Indian buying houses/buying agents expected to visit. The event also witnessed a very low footfall from the buying community.
In spite of the perfect venue, participation by some top exporters in the fair displaying their diverse products’ range, tickets and the stay (hospitality) support given to the visiting buyers – the visitation on all three days, be it from overseas buyers or Indian buying houses – was very limited.
Dinesh Bhansali, Director, United Impex, Mumbai a regular participant of the event, shared that from last 2-3 editions he is not getting buyers and same was the condition this time also, so he is planning to stop participation. “Good buyers are not coming to Tirupur and it is not of much use to come here for small buying agents,” he reasoned.
On the similar tune, visiting the show for the first time, Jag Mohan Sharma, Sourcing Manager, Buffalo David Bitton, Canada didn’t find the product he was looking for as basic products were more on display.
Looking at the positive side of the fair, some of the exhibitors seemed satisfied. The fair proved quite good for Eastman Exports as it met a few new buying agents, and one importer from Denmark who also visited its office. The company also performed some costing exercise for them, shared G. Thennarasu, Marketing Manager of Eastman.
However, A. Sakthivel, Chairman, IKFA termed the fair a success as he said, “We had about 30+ buyers at the fair which is a good number. Nowadays, overseas buyers don’t come here because everybody is working through a buying office or agent. About 100 buying agents also visited the event; it is a good footfall. As far as limited number of participation is concerned, many exporters are not looking for new buyers as they are happy with the existing ones. But companies that want to expand, always participate in this event.”
Bharat Tex Special Report 2026 
