S Sakthivel, Executive Secretary, Tiruppur Exporters Association (TEA) says, exporters in the city are seeing increased demand for innerwear, children wear, long garments from overseas markets while demand for fashion garments has declined. The opening of the US and European markets has not only smoothened operations and also improved domestic market, he adds. Demand for masks and personal protection equipment (PPE) has declined. Last year Tirupur hosiery units exported garments worth Rs 25,150 crore, a decline from Rs 27,250 crore exported during 2019-20,

Though yarn and export of other inputs have increased, the units have been unable to pass on the benefits to buyers as they are not allowed to operate due to the lockdown, Sakthivel adds. TEA set up in 1990 in Tirupur has always been quick in taking up the issues and stand in forefront to get them addressed. TEA is representing as on August 2020, TEA is consisting of 1119 knitwear exporters as members.