Rising imports worry apparel manufacturers

India imported garments worth ₹8,900 crore from April to November, 2024 and the year 2024-2025 is likely to end with almost ₹13,000 crore worth apparel imports, according to the Indian Texpreneurs Federation (ITF).

Prabhu Dhamodharan, convenor of the ITF, said the main imports were cotton apparel ( $513 million) and manmade fibre apparel ($375 million). Further, knitted apparel imports were worth $420 million and woven were $529 million. The garments were mainly imported from Bangladesh, China, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka.

“Textile clusters and retailers must collaborate to address factors influencing imports such as pricing, quality, design, and product range. With a strong manufacturing base that already produces apparels for global markets, Indian manufacturers are well-positioned to meet domestic demand. Proper engagement can match retailer expectations efficiently,” he said in a statement.

Retail brands in India must partner with domestic manufacturers to build robust supply chains that reduce import dependency and enhance local production. Hence, all the domestic retailers must focus on domestic sourcing instead of imports.

It’s time for Indian retailers and textile clusters to work closely to strengthen domestic sourcing, create jobs, and build an efficient, world-class supply chain for apparel manufacturing, he added.