Denim fabric exports jumps 40pc in February, furnishing doubles

Denim fabric exports, the second largest woven material, saw volumes increase 40% year on year in February and value up 46% to US$34 million. They were mainly imported by Bangladesh, followed by Egypt and Colombia at a distant. Denim fabric exports to Bangladesh alone was worth US$18 million

Overall, woven fabric exports (shipment) increased in February as exporters postponed some shipment from January after a sharp fall. It was, however, still lower than the levels two years ago. While spun yarn exports were also up during the month, the rise in fabric export implies that the overall textile sector has leveled the previous month’s fall.

Total volumes rose 12% to 354 million sq mtrs (YoY) worth US$282 million or INR1,774 crore.  Thus, cumulative export in the first 11 months of 2017-18, was 3,938 million sq mtr, down 0.7% com-pared with same period a year ago. In terms of value, woven fabric export was worth US$3,086 million or INR19,585 crore

During the month, 145 countries imported woven fabrics from India, topped by Bangladesh and followed by Sri Lanka and UAE. The three together accounted for 35% of total woven fabric shipped during the month. During the month only eight countries did not import any fabric as last year. However, they were replaced by 19 other countries which imported fabric worth US$0.9 million this February

Nepal, Paraguay and were the fastest growing large markets for woven fabrics, and accounted for over 1% of total export value in February

Close to 51% of woven fabrics exported were made of 100% cotton worth US$144 million (INR908 crore) with volumes at 169 million sq mtr. The average unit price realization was at US$0.85 a sq mtr, a cent higher than a year ago

Plain fabric exports accounted for 60% of all types of woven fabrics exported in February 2018, down 3% in volume year on year with shipment totaling 260 million sq mtr worth US$171 mil-lion. Bangladesh, UAE and Sri Lanka were the top markets for plain fabrics

Shirting/suiting volumes fell 6% while lungies and dhoties export surged 67%, after a fall in previous month

Furnishing fabric continued doubling in February with UK on the top followed by USA and UAE

About the report: Textile Beacon’s “Woven Fabric Export Statistics – India” covers shipment data on all kinds of woven fabrics falling under HS Chapters 52, 54 and 55. It covers fabrics made of cotton, manmade fibre, blends and filament yarns. Key variables namely – Volumes and value, analysed by type, end-use weight, raw material and markets