Introduction
The powerloom industry of India is among the biggest contributors to the country’s textile industry and makes up the majority of the textile production. The textile industry being one of the largest contributors to India’s economy makes the powerloom sector important for the country. About 58.4% of the total cloth production in India is through powerlooms. The readymade garments and home textile sector of the country are heavily dependent on the powerloom industry. The majority of the powerlooms are in Maharashtra, with about 39% of the total powerlooms located in the state as of April 2022. Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu are some of the other top powerloom products-producing states in India.
India is the sixth-largest exporter of textiles and apparel in the world. The country's capital-intensive mill sector is the second largest in the world. The powerloom industry of India produces fabrics ranging from dyed fabrics, cotton fabrics, grey, printed fabrics and a mix of cotton, synthetic and other fibres. India has around 2.6 million powerlooms distributed throughout the country. As the textile industry employs more than 45 million people in India, powerlooms are one of the biggest employment providers in the country through direct and allied sectors.
Export Trend
Powerloom is essential for India’s textile exports as the sector contributes 60% of the fabrics meant for exports. Silk, cotton, jute, synthetic rayon, readymade garments, printed and dyed fabrics, and fibres are some of the top products exported out of the country.
India makes coir geo-textiles, floor mattings, rugs, etc. from powerlooms. During 2023-24, India exported coir pith products worth US$ 200.91 million. India’s cotton textile exports during 2023-24 were US$ 12.26 billion, an increase of 10.58% from 2022-23. The country is the largest exporter of sarees and accounts for over half a million shipments annually.
In FY23, the overall export of textiles and apparel (including handicrafts) stood at US$ 35.87 billion. The total export value of textiles and apparel (including handicrafts) during the year 2022-23 was US$ 36.69 billion. The share of cotton textiles, ready-made garments, man-made textiles, and handicrafts in the exports during the year 2023-24 was 34.18%, 40.51%, 14.16%, and 5.02%, respectively.
Export Destinations
India exported silk and silk products to the USA, UAE, China, UK, Australia, Italy, and many more countries in 2022-23. The majority of the country’s saree exports are to the US, Nepal, and the UAE.
India exports cotton to many parts of the world (more than 150 countries). Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, China, Egypt, Vietnam etc. were among the top cotton export destinations of India in 2022-23.
The raw silk exports of India were majorly towards countries: Bosnia, Herzegovina, the UK, Vietnam, Bhutan, and China. For the rayon fabric exports, the major importers from India were China, Mexica, US, Japan, Poland, Netherlands, South Africa, Germany, UAE, and Brazil with a cumulative share of about 85% out of the total rayon exports during 2020-21.
China is among the largest importers of Indian powerloom products. During 2024-25 (until June 2024), the country accounted for 13% of the coir and coir products imports from India. USA, Netherlands, Korea, Spain and the Australia are among the top importers with a share of 13%, 8%, 5%, 7% and 3%, respectively.
Government Initiatives
For the development of the powerloom industry in the country, the schemes introduced by the Government are the Modified Comprehensive Powerloom Cluster Development Scheme (MCPCDS), Universal Insurance Coverage Scheme, Integrated Skill Development Scheme, and Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (ATUFS).
The PLI scheme for the textile industry of India has an approved outlay of Rs. 10,683 crore (US$ 1.35 billion). This scheme will work to promote the man-made fibre (MMF), MMF fabrics and technical textile sectors of India. The aim will also be to boost the size and scale of production.
PM Mega Integrated Textiles Region and Apparel Parks (PM MITRA)
The Government of India set up the PM MITRA scheme with a capital outlay of Rs. 4,445 crore (US$ 562 million). The scheme will be for seven years ending 2027-28. It aims to modernize and integrate large-scale and world-class industrial infrastructure and facilities. The mega textile parks will enable the textile industry of India to be globally more competitive, boost employment, and attract foreign investment.
Governing Body
Powerloom Development & Export Promotion Council (PDEXCIL)
The PDEXCIL was established by the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India in 1995. The council's main objectives are to promote, support, develop, advance, and increase the powerlooms, and export powerloom fabrics and made ups. The activities of the council are participating in exhibitions, organizing training and skill development programmes, publishing newsletters, etc.
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Mumbai - 400072
Maharashtra
India
Tel.:+91-22-67254510/4497/4498
Fax: +91-22-67254526
Email: pdexcilmumbai@gmail.com
Website: www.pdexcil.org
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