Denim fabric exports from India fell by 13 per cent from April 2022 to August 2022 compared to the same period in the last fiscal year.

The de-growth can be attributed to lower orders denim manufacturing companies are receiving amid rising inflation in western countries as well as due to piled-up inventories in retail stores.

Out of the total denim exports, cotton denim fabric exports were down 15 per cent whereas exports of poly-cotton denim fabrics were down 11 per cent. Bangladesh, the top export destination for Indian denim mills, has restricted denim fabric (both cotton and poly-cotton denim) sourcing from India. Shipments of denim fabrics from India to Bangladesh from April 2022 to August 2022 were down six per cent.

The global denim market is growing at six per cent. The rise in disposable income levels is aiding the growth of the denim market. Other factors are the rise in urbanization and the trend of denim shirts. Further, the growing popularity of stretchable denim jeans by blending cotton with synthetic material is further anticipated to propel the growth of the denim market. Moreover, initiatives to improve product manufacturing are estimated to cushion the growth of the denim market. In addition, the easy accessibility of raw material will further provide potential opportunities for the growth of the denim market.