Global Textile Exports: RMG, Home Textiles, Technical Textiles, Fibres & Yarns — Structures, Leaders, and Tariff Impacts (2019–2025)
The global textiles-and-apparel (T&A) sector spans fibres and yarns (upstream), fabrics, and finished goods—ready-made garments (RMG), home textiles, and increasingly, technical textiles. Collectively, the sector represented ≈ 3.7 % of world merchandise exports in 2022, highlighting its structural role in industrialization and employment (World Trade Organization [WTO], 2024a). Asia anchors the supply base, with integrated production chains linking agriculture, chemistry, design, and logistics.
2. Global Structure and Recent Dynamics
2.1 Regional Concentration and Value-Chain Depth
Asia’s share of world textile exports reached ≈ 70 % in 2022; China alone contributed over 40 % of sectoral value-added, reflecting full-chain integration (WTO, 2024a). Global merchandise trade rebounded modestly in 2025, though tariffs and supply-chain diversification redirected flows toward Europe and the Middle East (WTO, 2025; Reuters, 2025a; Reuters, 2025b).
2.2 Top Textile & Apparel Exporters (2023–2024)
Table 1. Global Top 10 Textile & Apparel Exporters
| Rank | Economy | Exports (US$ bn) | Global Share | Context / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 260–301 | ≈ 30 % + | Redirected exports to EU post-U.S. tariffs (FT, 2025) |
| 2 | Bangladesh | 38–49 | ≈ 5–6 % | RMG-led; U.S. tariff cap ≈ 20 % (Reuters, 2025c) |
| 3 | Vietnam | 31–44 | ≈ 4–6 % | FTA-driven growth |
| 4 | Turkey | 35–39 | ≈ 3–4 % | Diversified portfolio |
| 5 | India | 37–38 | ≈ 3.9 % | 6th globally (PIB, 2025); impacted by U.S. tariffs |
| 6 | Italy | 37 | ≈ 3–4 % | Luxury & technical segments |
| 7 | Germany | 31 | ≈ 2–3 % | Technical textiles strength |
| 8 | United States | 22 | ≈ 2 % | Upstream textiles; net importer in apparel |
| 9 | Pakistan | 18 | ≈ 1–2 % | Cotton-based exports |
| 10 | Spain | 20 | ≈ 1–2 % | EU fashion integration |
India ranked sixth globally (≈ US$ 37.5 billion; 3.9 %) and retains a broad raw-material base yet trails leading peers in value-added intensity (PIB, 2025).
3. Segmental Review
3.1 Ready-Made Garments (RMG)
China (≈ US$ 165 bn; 31.6 %), Bangladesh (≈ US$ 38 bn), and Vietnam (≈ US$ 31 bn) dominated 2023 RMG exports (Fibre2Fashion, 2024). Inflation and compliance costs dampened 2024–25 demand, while EU Eco-Design Regulations tightened sustainability thresholds.
3.2 Home Textiles
Global home-textile trade (HS 6302) reached ≈ US$ 20.9 bn in 2023, led by China, Pakistan, and India (OEC, 2024a; WITS, 2024).
Table 2A. House Linens (HS 6302, 2023)
| Rank | Exporter | Value (US$ bn) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 7.39 | ≈ 35 % of global exports |
| 2 | Pakistan | 4.07 | Strong bed-linen base |
| 3 | India | 3.07 | Top-three supplier to U.S./EU (OEC, 2024a) |
Table 2B. Cotton Terry Towels (HS 630260, 2023)
| Rank | Exporter | Exports (US$ bn) | Global Share % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 1.94–2.14 | ≈ 35 |
| 2 | India | 1.37 | ≈ 22 |
| 3 | Pakistan | 1.16 | ≈ 19 |
India remains a top-three supplier in linens and #2 in towels, underlining home-textile resilience even when RMG cycles weaken.
3.3 Technical Textiles
Technical textiles serve functional markets such as automotive, medical, construction, and filtration.
Table 3A. Textiles for Technical Uses (HS 5911, 2023)
| Rank | Exporter | Exports (US$ m) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 993 |
| 2 | Germany | 906 |
| 3 | United States | 513 |
Table 3B. Nonwovens (HS 5603, 2023)
| Rank | Exporter | Exports (US$ bn) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 3.65 |
| 2 | Germany | 1.88 |
| 3 | United States | 1.62 |
Table 3C. Plastic-Coated Textile Fabrics (HS 5903, 2023)
| Rank | Exporter | Exports (US$ bn) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 1.28–1.44 |
| 2 | Germany | 0.54–0.60 |
| 3 | United States | 0.43 |
| 4 | Italy | 0.25 |
India’s technical-textile exports are smaller in scale but growing ≈ 35 % YoY (2024) under the National Technical Textiles Mission (Exim Bank of India, 2023).
3.4 Fibres and Yarns
More than 60 % of value in the textile chain arises from upstream activities—fibres, chemicals, and design (WTO, 2024a). Economies with integrated fibre-to-fabric capacity retain greater value and resilience.
4. India’s Positioning
India combines cotton and MMF strengths, home-textile dominance, and policy drivers (PLI Scheme, PM-MITRA Parks, Technical Textiles Mission). Yet, export margins are exposed to tariff and logistics costs (PIB, 2025).
5. Tariffs (2024–25) and Trade Realignment
5.1 United States
Effective tariffs on Indian apparel rose to ≈ 50 % from 27 Aug 2025, prompting order diversions toward EU and GCC markets (India Briefing, 2025; Reuters, 2025a). Bangladesh secured a 20 % cap (Reuters, 2025c). Chinese exports re-routed to Europe (FT, 2025).
5.2 European Union
EU MFN apparel tariffs (HS 61/62) remain high; India lacks GSP benefits while Bangladesh retains EBA preferences (European Commission, 2025). Competition intensified from Chinese rerouting (FT, 2025).
5.3 Global Effects
Trade diversion compressed margins and elevated freight costs (+10 %). WTO (2025) reported flat export growth in 2024 after +5 % in 2023.
6. Strategic Implications
| Priority Area | Actionable Focus | Supporting Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Upstream Integration | Fibre–yarn–fabric depth to absorb tariffs | WTO (2024a) |
| Market Diversification | Shift exports to EU & GCC zones | Reuters (2025a) |
| Standards & Certification | For technical textiles (meditech, mobiltech) | OEC (2024c) |
| Branding & Design | Strengthen home-textile value proposition | OEC (2024a) |
7. Outlook (2025–2030)
Supply-chain regionalization (“China + 1”) will favor integrated Asian exporters. Technical and sustainable textiles will outpace apparel in value growth. Tariff volatility may persist through 2026 until new U.S.–Asia agreements are finalized (WTO, 2025).
References:
European Commission. (2025). EU common external tariff schedule for textiles and clothing (HS 50–63). https://taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu/customs-duties/what-is-common-external-tariff_en
Exim Bank of India. (2023). Enhancing exports of technical textiles from India (Occasional Paper No. 105). https://www.eximbankindia.in/sites/default/files/2025-07/105file.pdf
Fibre2Fashion. (2024, August 6). Top exporting countries of textile and apparel industry 2023. https://www.fibre2fashion.com/industry-article/8471/top-10-exporting-countries-of-textile-and-apparel-industry
Financial Times. (2025, October 12). China reroutes clothing exports to Europe after U.S. tariffs upend trade. https://www.ft.com
India Briefing (Dezan Shira & Associates). (2025, August 27). U.S. tariffs on India rise up to 50 percent: Impact on textile exports. https://www.india-briefing.com
Press Information Bureau (PIB), Government of India. (2025, January 2). India becomes 6th largest exporter of textiles & apparel in 2023. https://pib.gov.in
OEC (Observatory of Economic Complexity). (2024a). House linens (HS 6302): Exporters and trade data 2023. https://oec.world/en/profile/hs/house-linens
OEC. (2024b). Terry towels (HS 630260): Trade statistics 2023. https://oec.world
OEC. (2024c). Textiles for technical uses (HS 5911): Export data 2023. https://oec.world/en/profile/hs/textiles-for-technical-uses
OEC. (2024d). Nonwoven fabrics (HS 5603): Export data 2023. https://oec.world/en/profile/hs/nonwovens
Reuters. (2025a, October 14). Indian textile exporters turn to Europe after U.S. tariffs up to 50 percent. https://www.reuters.com
Reuters. (2025b, July 15). Global trade growth stronger than expected in Q1 2025. https://www.reuters.com
Reuters. (2025c, August 28). Bangladesh secures U.S. tariff cap on garments. https://www.reuters.com
World Integrated Trade Solution (WITS). (2024). UN Comtrade mirror data on HS 6302, 630260, 5603, 5903 (2023). https://wits.worldbank.org
World Trade Organization (WTO). (2024a). Global value chains sectoral profiles: Textiles and clothing industry (2024 update). https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/statis_e/miwi_e/gvc_sectoral_profiles_textiles_clothing24_e.pdf
World Trade Organization (WTO). (2025). World trade statistics 2025 report. https://www.wto.org
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