TIRUPUR: India’s ready-made garment (RMG) exports rose 20% in October 2026 compared to October 2025, while growth in rupee terms stood at 30%, Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) chairman Dr A Sakthivel has said, calling the performance a sign of revival in the apparel export industry.“The 20% growth in RMG exports in October 2026 is a very encouraging development. The industry has abundant orders in hand, and the immediate priority is to ensure adequate workforce availability to meet the growing demand,” he said in a statement on Saturday.According to Dr Sakthivel, exporters are seeing an improving business environment and are holding a strong pipeline of orders from overseas buyers, indicating firmer demand for Indian garments across key international markets. “The near-term constraint for the sector is the availability of adequate workforce to execute orders on time and at scale,” he said.Labour availability has emerged as the immediate operational challenge even as order books strengthen. Addressing the gap will require focused skilling initiatives, labour mobilisation and supportive measures so that exporters can convert existing orders into higher shipments and sustain momentum in coming months, according to him.AEPC is facilitating market outreach opportunities for member exporters to explore and expand presence in major destinations. The council’s planned initiatives include engagements in Japan, London, Denmark, New York, Las Vegas, France and Dubai, along with participation in Bharat Tex ’27, positioned as a global platform bringing together the Indian textile and apparel value chain.He urged exporters to use AEPC-supported platforms to build new business connections, tap emerging markets, diversify export destinations and secure additional orders, as competition intensifies and buyers seek supply resilience.Dr Sakthivel linked the sector’s growth prospects to improved market access through free trade agreements and faster resolution of workforce-related constraints. He said coordinated efforts by industry, govt and AEPC could help improve competitiveness and support a stronger export trajectory.
