Tiruppur Knitwear Exports Touch Rs 46,000 Crore In FY26
Tiruppur’s knitwear and apparel exports reached around Rs 46,000 crore in 2025-26, marking the highest export performance recorded by the cluster, the Tiruppur Exporters’ Association (TEA) said at its 36th Annual General Body Meeting held here on Wednesday.
The association said Tiruppur accounts for around 55 percent of India’s total knitwear exports and called for greater focus on value-added products, technology adoption and new international markets to sustain growth.
Addressing the meeting, TEA President, K. M. Subramanian said the cluster needs to diversify beyond traditional cotton garments and increase its presence in man-made fibre (MMF), technical textiles and performance wear.
He also stressed the need to capitalise on emerging trade opportunities, including the India-UK and India-European Union trade agreements, to expand into new markets, acquire customers and increase export orders.
Technology and automation will be critical to strengthening Tiruppur’s global competitiveness, he said, highlighting the need for wider adoption of Lean Manufacturing, ERP systems, artificial intelligence, research and product development.
The association said these measures would support Tiruppur’s transformation into a more sustainable and technology-driven apparel manufacturing hub over the next five years.
TEA Joint Secretary Kumar Dursiswamy said the association’s financial position had strengthened during the year, alongside progress in infrastructure, skill development, membership expansion, labour welfare and environmental initiatives.
According to the General Secretary’s report, Tiruppur’s knitwear exports stood at Rs 36,891 crore, registering 2.40 percent growth. The report also said 19,050 youth had received skill training under the SAMARTH scheme, with women accounting for 95 percent of the trainees.
The association currently has 1,522 members and conducted more than 421 meetings and industry-related discussions during the year. Its charitable trusts contributed Rs 45.46 lakh towards education, healthcare, skill development and social welfare initiatives.
The meeting also highlighted the need to strengthen the sector’s presence in international markets as global companies plan to increase sourcing from India over the coming years.
Earlier, 24 exporters were recognised with Gold, Silver and Bronze awards for year-on-year export growth, environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance, women entrepreneurship and first-generation young entrepreneurship.
The association’s redesigned and upgraded website was also launched during the AGM, which was attended by more than 200 members along with executive committee members, special invitees and industry representatives.
