A cluster-level breakdown of how Surat, Tirupur, Bhilwara, Ludhiana and Coimbatore performed in FY26.
Key Takeaways
- Tirupur knitwear and Surat MMF led growth; Bhilwara suiting gained on Gulf demand.
- Value-added and finished products outgrew commodity yarn/grey fabric exports.
- New market diversification (Middle East, Africa, LATAM) cushioned EU softness.
- The $100B-by-2030 target hinges on moving up the value chain, not volume alone.
India's textile and apparel exports in FY26 told a story of divergence: clusters that moved up the value chain outperformed those still anchored to commodity yarn and grey fabric. Headline growth was solid, but the composition matters more than the topline.
Tirupur's knitwear ecosystem and Surat's man-made-fibre (MMF) base were the standout performers, supported by faster lead times and growing buyer confidence. Bhilwara's suiting cluster posted strong gains on the back of GCC demand for premium fabrics, while Ludhiana hosiery and Coimbatore spinning saw steadier, count-dependent growth.
Geographically, diversification did the heavy lifting. As EU retail sentiment stayed cautious, exporters who had built order books in the Middle East, Africa and Latin America were able to cushion the impact. This validates the long-running WTH thesis that single-market dependence is the biggest structural risk for Indian exporters.
The path to the government's $100B-by-2030 ambition runs through value addition — finished garments, technical textiles and branded fabric — rather than chasing commodity volume. Clusters that invest in design, compliance and sustainability certification now will capture the premium tomorrow.
