Tiruppur exporters press Centre to scrap 11% cotton import duty as shortfall hits 45 lakh bales
AEPC and Tiruppur Exporters' Association flagged a 45-lakh-bale gap against 337-lakh-bale demand, warning the 11% duty erodes competitiveness for ₹44,747 cr knitwear exports and FTA gains. Tiruppur drives 68% of India's knitwear shipments via 2,500 exporters and 20,000 units.
AEPC and Tiruppur exporters urged the Centre to scrap the 11% cotton import duty, citing a 45-lakh-bale shortfall threatening India's apparel export competitiveness, FTA opportunities, and employment across the fibre-to-garment value chain.