Apparel exports remained flat at $907 million in October 2012 compared to the same period last fiscal due to sluggish demand in the European and the US markets.
In October last year, garments exports stood at $914 million, according to the data provided by the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC).
"Buyers in markets like Western Europe and USA are not placing more orders due to the economic turbulence in their economies," AEPC Chairman A Sakthivel said.
Also, he said, there is a stiff competition from neigbouring countries like Vietnam and Bangladesh in the US market and from Turkey in EU market.
During 2011-12 fiscal, the US and Europe together accounted for over 65% of India's total apparel exports which stood at $14 billion.
Further, Sakthivel said, rising wage rates, hike in oil prices and raw-material cost are factors affecting exporters' profitability.
During April-October 2012 period, garments exports dropped by 9.1% to $7.1 billion compared to the corresponding period last year.
To reduce dependence on western markets, exporters are marketing their products by participating in trade exhibitions and holding road shows in new markets like Latin America, Japan, Israel, Russia and South Africa.
