New Delhi, Sep 17 (IANS) India’s textile sector recorded strong export growth in August 2026, with total exports up 16.1 per cent year-on-year to Rs 29,776 crore, an official statement said on Thursday.
The cumulative textile exports during April–August 2026 reached Rs 1.43 lakh crore, registering growth of 10.3 per cent over the corresponding period of the previous year, the statement from Ministry of Textiles said.
The growth was broad-based across several major textile segments. The exports of cotton yarn, fabrics, made-ups and handloom products grew by 24.1 per cent in August, while man-made yarn, fabrics and made-ups increased by 19.9 per cent.
Carpet exports recorded growth of 15 per cent, while handicrafts, excluding handmade carpets, registered particularly strong growth of 41.4 per cent.
Ready-made garments of all textiles also maintained positive momentum, growing by 6.1 per cent during the month, the ministry said.
The cumulative performance during April–August 2026 also remained encouraging, with cotton textiles up 18 per cent, man-made textiles up 13.6 per cent, carpets up 11.9 per cent and handicrafts up 44 per cent.
The sustained growth across major segments reflects the increasing competitiveness and diversification of India’s textile export basket, supported by improved market access, policy interventions and continued efforts towards value addition and market diversification, the statement said.
The sector remains an important contributor to manufacturing, employment and India’s overall export growth, the ministry noted.
The conclusion of negotiations for the India-EU Free Trade Agreement in January 2026 provided a significant boost to India’s textile sector.
The agreement provided preferential market access on 96.8 per cent of tariff lines covering 99.5 per cent of India’s exports, with 90.7 per cent of exports by trade value expected to become duty-free upon coming into force.
—IANS
aar/pk
