Releasing the apparel exports data for the month of October 2013, Dr A Sakthivel Chairman AEPC stated, “Apparel exports were to the tune of USD 1190 million in October 2013-14 with increase of 30.91 per cent against the corresponding month of last financial year. In rupee terms, the exports have increased by 53.3 per cent in Oct. 2013-14 over the same month of previous FY.”

Export in dollar terms for April-Oct. of the FY 2013-14 has increased by 15.5 per cent over the same period of previous FY and reached to USD 8259 million however, in rupee terms exports increased by 26.18 per cent compared to same period of last FY.

In April-Oct. 2013-14 in rupee terms apparel export of India was to the tune of Rs. 49096 crore compared to Rs. 38911 crore in April-Oct. 2012-13. In the FY 2012-13 exports in dollar terms declined by 6 per cent from previous FY and totaled USD 12923 million in April-March 2012-13.

Apparel imports of the United States witnessed increase of 3.7 per cent in the Jan-Sept of 2013 from the previous year and amounted to 61.1 billion dollars. In the Jan-Sept 2013, US imports of apparel from India increased by 5 % per cent and reached to USD 2542 million against USD 2420 million in Jan-Sept 2012.

US imports saw increase from all major suppliers in Jan-Sept 2013 over the corresponding period of last year except for Mexico. In Jan-Sept 2013 India was at 6th position. India exported US$ 238 million apparel in Sept 2013 with increase of 15 % over the same month of previous year.

EU’s apparel import accounted for USD 47.8 billion for the Jan.-July 2013 with no increase over the previous year, India’s export to EU for the Jan-July 2013 amounted to USD 3.4 billion with 1% increase compared to same period of previous year.

Among the regions of destination, EU is the top most RMG export destination of India for April-August 2013 with US$ 2384.5 mn followed by North American region where exports were to the tune of US$ 1476.58 mn West Asia is the third largest regional apparel export destination of India with US$ 1043.33 mn for the same period. Among the regions listed below for India’s apparel export destination, exports have grown significantly to all regions except for the South Asia for April-August 2013 compared to same period of the previous year.

In terms of apparel export growth during April-August 2013 highest growth is registered by South East Asian region followed by West Asia, North America, EU, Latin America and Southern Africa. South Asia has registered decline in the apparel exports from India during April-August 2013 which may be attributed to the regional competition among the members of the South Asia as they are the significant suppliers of apparel in world.