Can India Fill Raise to the Occasion?
China is still the untouchable leader in the global textile industry. In the first half of 2024, it is recorded that nearly 80 percent of its total textile exports were constituted by fabric exports. China exported $42.66 billion in textile products, with fabric exports valued at $33.983 billion. According to reports, the home textile market in China is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.35 percent from 2024 to 2029. On the other hand, the apparel market in the country is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.01 percent during the same period. Delving deeper, women's apparel is expected to be the largest segment of the market, with a market volume of $177.50 billion by the end of 2024.
However, experts predict that the country’s clothing exporters are likely to have significant challenges on the horizon. The global market dynamics tell the same story. Despite maintaining its overall market share, China is losing momentum in nearly all key Western clothing markets, including the United States, the European Union, the UK, and Canada. This downward spiral is majorly driven by perceived heightened trade risks associated with China, ranging from concerns over forced labor in the Xinjiang region to escalating geopolitical tensions involving the country.
India perceives this as an opportunity and the China-Plus-One strategy adopted by the West is aiding this trend. It is expected that by 2030, the Indian textile industry will be worth $250 billion. The textile sector currently contributes 2.3 percent to India's GDP and makes up 7 percent of the country's industrial output. However, India holds only a 5 percent market share in the global textile and apparel market. This special yearly issue is dedicated to the leaders in the Asian textile industry. Do let us know your thoughts.