Tiruppur exporters press Centre to scrap 11% cotton import duty as shortfall hits 45 lakh bales
AEPC and Tiruppur Exporters' Association flagged a 45-lakh-bale gap against 337-lakh-bale demand, warning the 11% duty erodes competitiveness for ₹44,747 cr knitwear exports and FTA gains. Tiruppur drives 68% of India's knitwear shipments via 2,500 exporters and 20,000 units.
What happened
Apparel Export Promotion Council · AEPC and Tiruppur exporters urged the Centre to scrap the 11% cotton import duty, citing a 45-lakh-bale shortfall threatening
Key facts
- 11% cotton import duty
- ₹44,747 crore knitwear exports FY25
- ₹2.3 lakh crore domestic business
- 68% of India's knitwear exports
- 337 lakh bales demand
- 292.15 lakh bales arrivals
- 45 lakh bales shortfall
- 2,500 exporters
- 20,000 units
Why this matters
Distress in 20,000 Tiruppur units against a 45-lakh-bale input gap opens a window for roll-up plays and capacity tie-ups with exporters seeking balance-sheet relief while policy advocacy plays out.