Global Home Textile Trade: Import Recovery in the US, Persistent Softness Elsewhere
Key global import markets tracked through May 2026 moved in divergent directions. The US recorded the strongest gain, with imports up 25% year-on-year, while the EU, UK, and Japan each posted year-on-year declines. Against that backdrop, India’s home textile export performance continues to split sharply by category, with one segment expanding even as the broader trade base contracts.
The Import-Side Picture
US home textile imports reached US$1,402 million in May 2026, up 25% year-on-year and 20% on a YTD basis, the standout performer among key markets. The EU declined 5% YoY to US$878 million, the UK slipped 2% to US$297 million, and Japan fell 8% to US$237 million. Combined imports across the four markets were up 9% YTD through May, driven almost entirely by US demand. On the consumption side, US home furnishing store sales stood at US$5.1 billion in June 2026, down 1% YoY and 2% YTD, while online furniture and home furnishings sales grew 3% in Q1 2026 to US$3.9 billion.
India’s Export Picture: One Growth Category Amid Broad Declines
India’s home textile exports totalled US$2.7 billion for January–May 2026, down 9% YTD against the same period in 2025. The 3% CAGR recorded between 2019 and 2025 continues to describe a structurally flat trade base, with the 2021 peak of US$8.0 billion still the high-water mark. Category-wise performance through May 2026:
- Carpets & Floor Coverings: US$175 Mn, down 3% YoY, 5% YTD
- Bed Linen: US$118 Mn, down 9% YoY, 12% YTD
- Kitchen & Table Linen: US$126 Mn, down 8% YoY, 9% YTD
- Furnishings: US$37 Mn, down 6% YoY, 6% YTD
- Mattress Support & Other Mattresses: US$36 Mn, down 5% YoY, 13% YTD
- Terry Towel: US$20 Mn, down 15% YoY, 14% YTD
- Blankets: US$18 Mn, up 4% YoY, down 23% YTD
- Curtains: US$18 Mn, up 48% YoY, 35% YTD — the sole category with consistent growth
- Quilts & Comforters: US$9 Mn, down 8% YoY, up 1% YTD
Supplier positioning within the US market shows a similar split from category performance. China’s share of US home textile imports fell from 51% in 2024 to 43% in 2025, an eight-percentage-point drop, while India held steady at 21%, up 1 percentage point, and Pakistan advanced to 12%.
At the company level, margin pressure has broadened. Welspun Living’s OPM fell from 12% in FY25 to 8% in FY26. Indo Count Industries declined from 13% to 10%, and Himatsingka from 18% to 14%. Trident was the exception, holding steady at 13%.
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The full report tracks monthly trade flows across nine home textile categories, covering key import markets (USA, EU, UK, Japan) and India’s export performance from January 2019 through May 2026, with supplier share and company financials.
