Tirupur, India’s leading knitwear export hub, recorded garment exports of more than Rs.42,500 crore (US $4.45 billion) in 2025-26 despite facing tariff-related challenges in the United States and disruptions to global trade caused by the ongoing West Asia crisis. Industry leaders said the performance underscored the resilience of the cluster and its ability to withstand external pressures. 

According to industry data, Tirupur’s garment exports stood at Rs. 42,544.40 crore (US $4.46 billion) in 2025-26, down 4.91% from Rs. 44,747 crore (US $4.69 billion) recorded in 2024-25.

Tirupur is widely regarded as the country’s knitwear capital and is a major contributor to India’s ready-made garment exports. The cluster manufactures a wide range of products including T-shirts, innerwear, sportswear, children’s wear and fashion knitwear for leading global brands and retailers. The region exports to key markets such as the United States, Europe, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, and plays a pivotal role in Tamil Nadu’s textile and apparel economy.

Commenting on the performance, Tiruppur Exporters Association (TEA) President K.M. Subramanian said the decline was primarily driven by tariff-related issues in the United States and disruptions arising from the ongoing West Asia crisis, which had adversely affected global trade flows and shipping movements.

Despite these challenges, Subramanian noted that exports exceeding Rs. 42,500 crore (US $4.45 billion) demonstrated the strength and resilience of the Tirupur garment industry.

He further stated that the cluster continued to have significant growth opportunities through the effective utilisation of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), increasing export orders, rising demand for Man-Made Fibre (MMF) garments and the industry’s sustained focus on sustainability.

Subramanian also said that the Tirupur industry had been consistently submitting proposals and requests to both the Central and State Governments aimed at supporting the growth and development of the textile sector. While some proposals had already been accepted, others remained under consideration.

He conveyed confidence that continued collaboration of the cluster with the State and Central Governments could help Tirupur achieve annual exports of Rs. 1 lakh crore (US $10.48 billion) by 2030.