India's cotton textile industry has faced a significant setback, with exports declining by almost 29% in the fiscal year 2023-24 compared to the previous year. Data presented in the Rajya Sabha during the winter session revealed that export values dropped from USD 17.17 billion in 2021-22 to USD 12.26 billion in 2023-24.

A deeper analysis of the data indicates that both cotton fabrics and made-ups experienced a 19% decrease in exports, while cotton yarn exports saw an even steeper decline of 31%. The decline in India's cotton textile exports has been particularly severe for raw cotton, with shipments plummeting by a staggering 60%. However, other segments of the textile industry have shown resilience, with exports of textile yarns and made-ups increasing by 12%.

India's cotton textile exports have experienced volatility in recent years. After falling to USD 11.08 billion in 2022-23, they rebounded by 11% in the following fiscal year. The United States, Bangladesh, China, Sri Lanka, and the United Arab Emirates remain key international markets for India's cotton textile products.

Gujarat, a major player in India's cotton textile industry, has seen a significant downturn in exports. The state's exports, which typically account for around 30% of India's total cotton textile exports, decreased from USD 4.76 billion in 2021-22 to USD 3.61 billion in 2023-24. Despite the export decline, Gujarat remains the leading cotton-producing state in India. During the October-September 2023-24 period, the state produced over 9 million bales of cotton, marking a 20% increase compared to the previous year.

Maharashtra, the second-largest cotton producer, experienced a 2% decline, producing 8 million bales. Telangana, the third-largest producer, produced 5.1 million bales. To address the challenges faced by India's cotton textile exports, the government has introduced several strategic measures. These include the Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies (RoSCTL) scheme for apparel and made-ups, and the Remissions of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) for other textile products.

A key initiative in this regard is the upcoming BHARAT TEX 2025 in February, which aims to showcase India's entire textile value chain and establish the country as a leading global sourcing and investment hub. To further boost exports, the government has actively pursued trade diplomacy, signing 14 Free Trade Agreements and 6 Preferential Trade Agreements to facilitate easier market access for Indian cotton textiles.

On the research front, the ICAR-Central Institute for Cotton Research has been instrumental in enhancing cotton productivity and quality. Over the past decade, the institute has released 333 cotton varieties, including 191 non-Bt and 142 Bt varieties.