India’s cotton and yarn exports slip in February, imports rise

India’s textile and apparel exports declined slightly in February 2025, but cotton and yarn-related trade showed mixed trends. The country’s total T&A exports fell by 2.27 per cent to $3.216 billion, while overall merchandise exports dropped by 10.85 per cent to $36.912 billion, according to the Ministry of Commerce and Trade.

Within the textile sector, exports of cotton yarn, fabrics, made-ups, and handloom products dipped by 4.41 per cent to $981.80 million in February. Man-made yarn, fabrics, and made-ups also declined by 8.36 per cent to $395.65 million. However, carpet exports saw a 4.87 per cent increase, reaching $118.87 million.

Despite the monthly decline, cotton yarn, fabrics, and made-ups exports grew modestly by 3.29 per cent to $10.938 billion in the first eleven months of FY25. Imports of raw cotton and waste, however, increased significantly, rising by 107.38 per cent to $1,140.28 million in April–February 2025. In February alone, imports jumped 217.72 per cent to $99.86 million.

For FY24, India’s total T&A exports stood at $34.430 billion, with textile exports growing by 2.62 per cent to $19.898 billion. However, imports of raw cotton and waste declined by 58.39 per cent to $598.63 million, reflecting fluctuating demand trends.