Textile exports plunge 73% in Apr-May on domestic, overseas lockdowns

The sharp decline has impacted entire value chain of cotton farmers, ginners, spilling mills, fabric makers and textile and apparel producers

India's textiles and apparel exports declined by a staggering 73 per cent in April and May, due to closure of factories and problems in shipment of goods following the Covid-19-induced nationwide lockdown. Reduced demand from importing countries due to similar lockdown there exacerbated the troubles of the sector.

Data compiled by the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry showed India's total export of textiles and apparel at a mere $1.63 billion for April-May, compared to $6.07 billion in the corresponding period last year.

While textiles exports slumped by 68 per cent to $991 million for the first two months of the current