MELBOURNE, 21 November, 2024 : Exports are said to be the lifeline of many countries in the globalised world. The ten top Apparel (readymade garments) exports countries are China, Bangladesh, Vietnam India, Hong Kong, Turkey, Germany, Mexico, Italy and Indonesia, according to available reports. The garments we buy in Australia are from these countries and China is the biggest exporter of garments to Australia, followed by Bangladesh and Vietnam.
Australia’s garment imports from India were only 4.2 % and it is this that India and it’s garment exporters want to increase. Both countries now have a free trade agreement. Under the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), the 5% tariff on imported Indian clothing was eliminated. So, Indian clothing is tariff-free and the market is open for Indian exporters. But this also brings India into competition with the world’s biggest garment and clothing exporter China, Australia’s No 1. clothing supplier.
In the first quarter of 2024, China accounted for 59.12 per cent of Australia’s apparel imports, amounting to $1,250.946 million out of a total of $2,115.786 million, says fibre2fashion.com. During the same period, imports from Bangladesh were $254.946 million (12.05 per cent), Vietnam $166.850 million (7.89 per cent), India $85.053 million (4.02 per cent), and Indonesia $74.164 million (3.51 per cent).
Well, these stats are an eyeopener. There were 50 odd Indian garment companies at the Global Sourcing Expo Australia (19-21 Nov., 2024), and adjacent to them were 520+ garment exporting companies from China. One can see the contrast. Still, we glanced through Indian companies stalls and found massive variety and designs on display. There was no shortage of Indian outfits that can compete with any country. But also visited Chinese stalls which showcased ranges across women’s and men’s fashion, children’s apparel, accessories, footwear, home textiles and homewares. And, realised China is far ahead in this industry, India has to do a lot to catchup.
The Indian Consul General Dr. Sushil Kumar was there to boost Indian exporters and inaugurated the Indian section and went around the Indian stalls, who came from across many states of India. Every Indian stall had something unique and there were also accessories like carpets and handicrafts. The outfits displayed are the finest Made In India fashion products, claims the participation directory of the participating 50 Indian companies. Still, Australia’s garment imports from India are meagre. Aldi stores, are popular across Australia. And, a male jean made in Bangladesh was recently available for $ 10 only. The quality was good. So, India’s Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) and the exporters have a big job ahead.
The Global Sourcing Expo Melbourne, had 900+ quality manufacturers and suppliers from 20 countries displaying their stuff. There were many seminars and one was on how Australians dispose away their garments and buy new ones, another was on supply chains, and many more. India’s upcoming the Bharat Tex 2025 , largest textile expo scheduled to be held in New Delhi from 14-17 February 2025 was promoted at the Expo.
Interestingly, India has 28 states and 8 union territories, but only one, Tamil Nadu was participating in the Expo. We came across Tamil Nadu’s Minister for Handlooms and Textiles, R. Gandhi, at the state’s pavilion and he talked to us (separate story coming). In fact, the Apparel Export Promotion Council stall was at the expo with officials there.
Well, it was a mind-boggling experience being at the Global Sourcing Expo Australia 2024. So much to see and understand. The global apparel market is now worth $1.79 trillion and accounts for 1.6% of the world’s GDP. After taking a hit due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the markets have recovered and thrived with people buying 60% more clothes than they did a couple of decades ago, says Uniform Market.
GLOBAL SOURCING EXPO MELBOURNE – 19, 20, 21 NOVEMBER, 2024.
WEBSITE – globalsourcingexpo.com.au
AEPC Website – https://www.aepcindia.com/
