Powerloom Industry and Exports in India

Over 60% of fabric meant for export is sourced from powerloom sector.

Source:Ministry of Textiles

Last updated: Nov, 2022

Introduction

The powerloom industry of India is among the biggest contributors to the country’s textile industry and makes up the majority of the textiles production. Textile industry being one of the largest contributors to India’s economy makes 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. As of April 2022, India had 385,596 powerlooms. The majority of the powerlooms are located in Maharashtra, with about 39% of the total powerlooms located in the state as of April 2022. Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, 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. 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 fibers. 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

Category wise Indian textile and apparel exports

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 the country.

India makes coir geo-textiles, floor mattings, rugs, etc. from powerlooms. During 2021-22, India exported coir and coir products worth US$ 1,492 million. India’s cotton textile exports during 2021-22 were US$ 17.2 billion, an increase of 54% from 2020-21 and 67% from 2019-20. The country is the largest exporter of sarees and accounts for over half a million shipments annually.

The total export value of textile and apparel during the year 2021-22 was US$ 44.4 billion. This was a substantial increase of 41% from 2020-21 and 26% from 2019-20. The share of cotton textile, ready-made garments, man-made textiles and handicrafts in the exports during the year was 39%, 36%, 14% and 5%, respectively. The exports of ready-made garments, man-made textiles and handicrafts had an increase of 31%, 51% and 22% over 2020-21 and an increase of 3%, 18% and 16% over 2019-20, respectively. Exports of Cotton Yarn/Fabs./Madeups, Handloom products etc stood at US$ 767.50 million in September 2022 and accounts for 2.35% of the total exports of the month.

Export Destinations

India exports silk and silk products to USA, the UAE, Netherlands, China, Belgium, France, Germany, Indonesia and many more countries. 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 and more than 150 countries. USA, the UK, France, Spain, Netherlands, Italy, Germany, France, etc. are among the top cotton export destinations of India. During 2021-22 India exported jackets of cotton to USA worth US$ 22 million (53% share of total jacket exports share from India).

The major destination for India’s silk exports are USA, China, the UK, Italy and UAE. The raw silk exports of India are majorly towards countries: Bosnia, Herzegovina, the UK, Vietnam, Bhutan and China. For the rayon fabric exports, the major importers from India are China, Mexica, USA, 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.

USA is among the largest importer of Indian powerloom products. During 2021-22, the country accounted for 29.79% of the coir and coir products imports from India. China, the Netherlands, South Korea and the UK are among the top importers with a share of 19.82%, 8.77%, 4.95% and 5.1%, respectively during 2021-22.

Coir & Coir Powerloom products export destinations of India

Government Initiatives

For the development of the powerloom industry in the country, the Government of India launched a Comprehensive Scheme for Powerloom Sector Development. Through this scheme, the government aims in-situ upgradation of plain powerlooms, facilitation, IT, awareness, market development, publicity, grand-in-aid, and modernization and upgradation of powerloom service centers.

Other schemes for the industry development are the Modified Comprehensive Powerloom Cluster Development Scheme (MCPCDS), Universal Insurance Coverage Scheme, Integrated Skill Development Scheme and Amended Technology Ungradation Fund Scheme (ATUFS).

The PLI scheme for 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 year ending 2027-28. It aims to modernize, 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.