Indian Cotton Garment
The USA and Bangladesh continue to be the largest markets of Indian cotton garment with a share of over 10% in total exports. South Asian countries have emerged as the single most important export destination for cotton textiles .
During the last ten years cotton textiles ( including yarn, madeups and fabrics ) and garments have registered highest rates of growth in exports. The exports of cotton textiles have grown to Rs 13,028 crores in 1997 as compared to Rs 60 crores in 1961. A significant point to be observed is that the share of fabrics in total textile exports during 1988 was around 60% which has declined to 30.77% in 1997.
The rapidly increasing number of cotton/ man made garment manufacturers has led to the expansion of the spinning sector. Forty percent ie. 1.2 million of the over 3.4 million spindles installed worldwide in 1994 were installed in India. This development coupled with sharp demand rise in the Eastern countries facilitated leap in cotton yarn exports.
Increased cost prices of cotton garment have led to rise in local consumption of synthetic textiles and decline in cotton textile demand.
Trade barriers are increasingly falling and scope for expansion is increasing, thus promising a better export scenario for India. The abundance of cheap labour, proximity of raw material ie. cotton especially of the medium and long staple varieties and high capital utilisation gives a cost advantage to Indian textile industry. 12-15 % of export growth should be our target and it is very much achievable within next four or five years.
Nevertheless, more exportable surplus of cotton garment is available.
Relative links about garment