India has emerged as the fastest-growing destination for Italian textile machinery exports in 2025, according to figures released by ACIMIT, the Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers, during last week’s ITMA ASIA + CITME exhibition in Singapore.

In the first six months of 2025, exports from Italy to India reached a value of €78 million, representing a 51% increase compared to the same period in 2024. This puts India almost level with China, long the dominant market for Italian textile technology. In contrast, shipments to China over the same period also totalled €78 million, but were down 51% year-on-year.

In 2024, Italy exported textile machinery worth €132 million to India — a figure that was 14% lower than in 2023. This year’s surge signals a rapid rebound, with Indian textile manufacturers accelerating investment in advanced technologies as they expand domestic capacity and strengthen global competitiveness.

China, which received Italian exports worth €206 million in 2024, remains a critical market, but ACIMIT’s latest figures suggest a shift in regional dynamics as growth momentum moves towards South Asia. Other key destinations for Italian machine builders in 2025 include Pakistan (€33 million, up 41%), Vietnam (€14 million, up 22%), and the United Arab Emirates (€6 million, up 25%).

However, Turkey — the third-largest buyer of Italian textile machinery in 2024 — has fallen sharply out of the top ten markets in 2025. The country’s textile and garment industry, historically one of the strongest in Europe and the Middle East, is now facing one of its most challenging periods in decades. According to the Istanbul Apparel Exporters’ Association (İHKİB), the sector has lost around 350,000 jobs and nearly $8 billion in exports over the past three years, amid rising costs, currency instability and declining European demand.

At ITMA ASIA + CITME 2025, more than 100 Italian textile machinery companies exhibited in Singapore, reinforcing Italy’s position as one of the world’s leading technology suppliers. Asia continues to represent around half of global textile machinery exports, with a market value of €8.8 billion in 2024.

“Despite geopolitical uncertainties, the strong Italian presence in Singapore underlines the dynamism of our textile machinery industry,” said Marco Salvadè, President of ACIMIT. “Italian manufacturers are behind a comprehensive range of advanced solutions covering the entire textile value chain and continue to blend deep-rooted textile expertise with forward-looking innovation.”

www.acimit.it