MMF exports decline by 13.26% in March 2026: CII

India’s man-made fiber (MMF) sector is facing a complex trade scenario as export realizations for synthetic yarn and fabrics fell by 13.26 per cent in March 2026, totaling $377.88 million. As per a Confederation of Indian Textile Industry report, this drop is a part of the broader 14.02 per cent decline in national textile and apparel shipments, largely due to the Middle East crisis and sustained inflationary pressure in Western markets. While cotton-based segments previously dominated the narrative, the current downturn highlights a systemic vulnerability in the synthetic value chain, where petroleum-derived raw material costs have increased by approximately 20 per cent following crude oil’s breach of the $100 per barrel threshold.

The Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) says, logistics surcharges, some reaching $12,000 per container are further eroding the price competitiveness of value-added MMF apparel. Consequently, international buyers are diversifying procurement toward regional competitors like Vietnam to mitigate lead-time risks. To stabilize the sector, the Ministry of Textiles is currently evaluating customs duty concessions on rayon pulp and wood pulp to reduce input overheads. Industry leadership remains focused on the ‘Vision 2030’ roadmap, which targets a transition toward technical textiles and integrated manufacturing hubs to recapture global market share once logistics costs normalize and trade agreements with the European Union finalize.

Serving as the apex body representing the entire textile value chain in India, CITI oversees policy advocacy and trade analysis for fibers, yarns, and apparel. The industry body focuses on expanding India’s global footprint, targeting $100 billion in exports by 2030 despite current macroeconomic headwind.