Apparel Online India Magazine November 1st Issue 2018 | Page 42

INDIA CANVAS
SILK EXPORT FROM INDIA
IS GAINING MOMENTUM
I
ndia is the second largest producer
of silk-based products and one of the
leading exporters of the same. But,
last fiscal did not prove good for silk
sector, especially in exports as export
of silk-based products was just US $
264.64 million in 2017-18, compared
to US $ 315.84 million in 2016-17. But
now, some positivity seems to have
found its way back into the industry
and in the period from April-August
2018, exports so far are worth US $
122.78 million which shows a growth
of more than 9 per cent compared to
the same period last year. Similarly,
the feedback coming from the industry
is positive and this year, some
improvement can be witnessed.
The three-day long 6th India
International Silk Fair which
concluded in Delhi on 18th October
gave positive indications as more than
100 exhibitors from across India got a
good number of buyers and adequate
business can be expected in near
future. Organiser of the event, The
Indian Silk Export Promotion Council
(ISEPC) expects to generate business
of over US $ 20 million from the fair,
which was visited by more than 145
buyers from across the world. Team
Apparel Online explored various
ESSENTIALS aspects of the silk sector for an update
on the industry.
Readymade
garment is a
product category
that has the largest
share in overall
export of silk-based
products. In 2016-
17, the export of
silk-based RMG
from India was US
$ 192.68 million
while in 2017-18,
the same was US $
157.88 million. From
April to August
'18, India noticed
9 per cent growth
(compared to the
same period of
2017) in the export
of silk RMG. US and
UK are the biggest
importers of Indian
silk products. Even today, the major buyers of
silk products are those who really
understand and appreciate the feel
and luxury appeal of silk rather than
going in for the mass market like
other standard fabrics like cotton or
PC etc. Many Indian silk companies
are expanding their base within their
existing client base and are able to
add a few new buyers too. “This year,
we have comparatively more demand
from international buyers as the
market seems to have picked up. We
should have more orders as we met
some new buyers too in the event,”
shared, L. Radhakrishnan, Deputy
Manager – Sales of Bangalore-based
Chamundi Textiles (Silk Mills)
Ltd. The company is purely into silk
fabric manufacturing and it is further
planning to start export of home
furnishing products.
New and interesting products
offered by some of the players is
also one of the reasons to fetch
more export orders. Socks, lingerie,
undergarments and umbrella made of
Eri silk are few such products which
are witnessing increasing demand
from overseas countries. Mukesh
Kangkana Hazarika, Director, Yana’s, Guwahati with UV protected umbrella by Eri Silk
42 Apparel Online India |NOVEMBER 1-15, 2018 | www.apparelresources.com
Gope, CEO of Nilima Silk, Bangalore,
which also has its unit in Jharkhand,
is getting regular orders of such
socks from Sweden which further is
expected to grow. “Eri silk socks have
natural qualities which work like
anti-microbial finish. They are more
skin-friendly than cotton as they have
inherent thermostatic properties;
one can wear them continuously for
10 days without washing,” Mukesh
quipped. The company started these
socks just 8 months ago. Silk mélange
tees is another new offering by
the company.
North Indian state Assam is the hub
of Moga silk and SME players from
there are coming up with more such
interesting products. For example,
Yana’s in Guwahati which is offering
Eri silk’s umbrella, is further planning
to come up with silk lingerie. “Our
Eri silk umbrella has a natural UV
protector and we are working to
make it waterproof. Our next target
is to start silk lingerie as it is more
sustainable and skin-friendly than
any other available product in the
market,” shared Kangkana Hazarika,
Director of the company. She further
added that there is enough demand
in south-east Asian countries for
Mukesh Gope, CEO of Nilima Silk, Bangalore is expanding its market and production