International hostilities, economic crises, and escalating living costs in Europe have severely impacted the export of woollen apparel, including shawls and stoles, from Panjab to Europe, the US, and Canada. Panjab’s manufacturing hubs, Ludhiana and Amritsar, have seen a decline in woollen apparel exports—classified under the readymade garment category by the Union govt.—from USD 121M in 2014-15 to USD 90M in 2024, marking a roughly 40% drop. Although some short-lived recoveries occurred, the long-term trend remains downward, forcing many shawl manufacturers to diversify into suits, sarees, or knitwear. India’s global trade routes have also been disrupted by extended shipping lanes, particularly due to hostilities in the Middle East, forcing ships to reroute via the Cape of Good Hope (SDW Vol 2, Issue 42, Story 7). Ludhiana currently leads exports with over USD 117M annually, while Amritsar exports sit at around USD 59M. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal recently acknowledged that these elongated routes affect India’s exports. Major buyers from Europe and Australia once drove significant demand for Panjab’s shawls and stoles. The hosieries collectively produce items worth USD 706M, with combined exports hovering around USD 176M. In the Gulf region, the UAE remains a key market. According to Amritsar-based manufacturer Gaurav Jain, restoring pre-Covid export levels is a distant dream due to international conflicts and recessionary pressures. Amid conflicts and economic woes, Panjab’s woollen industry struggles to regain global market share (SDW Vol, 2 Issue 19, Story 7).
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