The Indian garment industry is one of the large scale industries of the country which employs nearly 8 million workers. Most workers employed in this industry are women and the industry contributes around 4% to India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). With changing T-shirt Manufacturing from Turkey times, Indian garment manufacturers are coming up with new products to meet domestic as well as global demand.
Indian Garment Industry Hubs
If one talks about concentration, then India has around 10 major garment producing hubs which specialize in producing variety of garments. Tirupur, in the southern state of Tamil Nadu has nearly 1500 knitwear garment producing units and is also called the "T-Shirt Town" of India.
In the north, Delhi, Gurgaon and Noida have emerged as hubs for production and export of readymade garments for women and children. Ludhiana in Punjab and Indore in Madhya Pradesh are also known for production of high-quality readymade garments. Bareilly, in Uttar Pradesh is known for zari work, which is one of the best in the world.
Major Markets
Indian garments are known for their quality all across the globe. The demand for garments manufactured in India is increasing exponentially the world over because Indian manufacturers produce high-quality products at a relatively cheaper rate than other countries. The major markets where Indian garments are in high demand are US, UK, Germany, Bangladesh, Italy, France, Spain and Turkey. Apart from increasing demand in the international market, India's own fashion statement has undergone rapid changes over the years which have significantly bolstered the domestic demand.
Indian Garment Exports
Lately, garment exporters of the country have been facing tough competition from China and Bangladesh. However, with orders being diverted, the sector is brimming with confidence. It is to be noted that the government has targeted exports worth US$17 billion in the current fiscal year.
The recovery of American economy and high demand from Europe has helped the country's garment sector. China, one of India's major competitors in the sector, has been losing it's edge because of rising labor and raw-material costs. Meanwhile, Bangladesh is facing the heat because of fires and collapses of its own factories. The last fiscal was disappointing for the sector in terms of exports. Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) estimated that exports went down from US$ 13.5 billion in 2011-12 to US$ 12.5 billion in 2012-13.
Problems of the Sector
The garment industry of the country, however, is plagued with several problems. Scarcity of labor and poor working conditions are two of the major roadblocks dogging the sector. Though India produce garments at a low price as compared to other countries, yet escalating raw material costs lately is a major concern. Labor costs and cotton yarn prices have increased manifold in recent years, which is putting pressure on manufacturers. India also needs to revisit its labor laws T-shirt Manufacturing from Turkey and invite more foreign direct investment in the sector to gain a competitive edge. Production efficiency also needs to be enhanced and manufacturers need to know the recent trends at the back of their hands to sustain against global competitors.