New US Tariffs Benefit Tiruppur Printers – Rising inquiries and orders have encouraged manufacturers to plan expansions
24 April 2025: Following the imposition of new tariffs by the US administration under Donald Trump, there is a renewed vibrancy in Tiruppur, India’s premier knitwear hub as activity has surged. Buying agents report a significant rise in inquiries and new orders, prompting many manufacturers to plan expansions to accommodate the unexpected demand.
The catalyst for this boom appears to be a substantial redirection of business away from countries facing higher tariffs, particularly China, Vietnam and Bangladesh, towards established suppliers in Tiruppur. Sources within the industry estimate that a notable portion of orders originating from China alone, potentially between 10 to 15 percent, have already been rerouted to Tiruppur.
Many US-based clients are requesting deliveries within a tight 90-day timeframe. If this trend continues, industry observers suggest Tiruppur could see its exports jump by another 20 percent this year. This global surge in buyer interest coincides with the hub achieving a record export revenue of Rs.40,000 crore in 2024-25.
Representatives from local industry associations confirm the dramatic shift. Leaders of the Tiruppur Exporters and Manufacturers Association, largely representing smaller entities, describe the current market as the most robust in years, noting a significant influx of buyers previously sourcing from China, and Vietnam. While acknowledging that buyers are seeking price concessions, the overall rush seen is unprecedented. This contrasts sharply with concerns raised in late 2023-24 about potential closures among their member units.
Similarly, the head of the Tiruppur Exporters’ Association highlights how the temporary deferral of tariffs worked favorably, allowing buyers to finalize existing orders while the newly diverted business injected fresh momentum.
He notes widespread expansion across the industry, with investments in new facilities and upgrades to existing ones, projecting a 15 per cent export increase for the current financial year. Major global retailers and brands including Primark, Tesco, Next, Marks & Spencer, Walmart, Tommy Hilfiger, Gap, and Target, were among Tiruppur’s clients last year. Many of these companies have reportedly placed additional orders recently.
Leaders within the buying agent community confirm that existing US buyers are now directing their inquiries from China towards Tiruppur, particularly for cotton garments where the region maintains competitiveness. A key challenge remains the approximately 15 percent lower pricing from Chinese competitors, attributed largely to cheaper raw material costs, especially for synthetics like polyester. Buyers are also pushing for deliveries within the 90-day tariff window. While the immediate future for Tiruppur appears promising, the long-term outlook hinges on the industry’s ability to retain these diverted orders once the current situation evolves.
