The total exports from Tirupur during January-March 2000 period stood at 1,304 lakh pieces valued at $ 239.50 million against 1,242 lakh pieces valued at $241.70 million shipped during the corresponding period in the previous calendar. While the quantity exported grew by 4.99 per cent the value declined by 0.91 per cent.

Though the decline in value of exports is marginal, it indicates a relatively tougher period ahead for knitwear exports from the region. The export figures are usually higher during the first three months of a calendar. Tirupur knitwear exports, which contribute around 50 per cent to the total knitwear exports from the country and nearly 26 per cent to the woven and knitted garment exports, clocked an all time high of Rs 3,017 crore during 1999 calendar.

Knitwear exports, it may be noted, bounced back in 1999 after a full year of depression following the resurgence of Asian economies and devaluation of the Indian rupee. In fact, knitwear exports from the small town in Tamil Nadu zoomed during the first quarter of 1999 calendar to record a 15.75 per cent increase in quantity and 23.63 per cent in value in terms of US dollars compared to the January-March 1998 period.

Industry experts feel the record export figures of previous calendar could be difficult to be improved this year unless there is a major thrust in export of winter garments. The resistance in growth of exports will be felt throughout the year, they claim. The unit value realisation in dollars has dropped to $1.84 a piece against $1.95 a piece realised during the first quarter of 1999.

The average unit value realisation in 1998 first quarter was $1.82 a piece. Tirupur exporters feel an improvement in winter garment exports would help improve exports during the year, besides enhancing unit value. Meanwhile, Tirupur Exporters' Association (TEA) president A Sakthivel urged the government to declare Tirupur as a special economic zone.