India's textile exports rose 16.1% year-on-year to INR 29, 776 crore in August 2026, according to the Ministry of Textiles. Ready-made garment exports grew 6.1% in the same month. Australian buyers can import these garments at zero duty, as all Indian exports gain duty-free access to Australia after 1 January 2026. This makes India a cost-effective source for Australian brands looking for a hoodie manufacturer for athleisure and streetwear ranges. rivexa, a B2B Sourcing platform by mjunction services limited, a joint venture of Tata Steel and SAIL (Steel Authority of India), connects these brands with verified Indian manufacturers.

What Does ECTA's full duty-free access mean for Australian apparel buyers?

ECTA now gives every Indian export zero-duty entry into Australia. India's Department of Commerce noted in 2022 that 90% of Indian apparel products faced a 5% tariff in Australia. This tariff no longer applies.

India's exports to Australia more than doubled, from USD 4 billion in 2020-21 to USD 8.5 billion in 2024-25, with textiles among the sectors recording notable growth. The two governments committed to converting ECTA into a full Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) during Prime Minister Modi's July 2026 visit to Australia.

Which Indian hoodie manufacturer suits athleisure or streetwear lines?

Athleisure and streetwear hoodies need different fabrics, construction methods, and finishing, so the right factory depends on the category.

Athleisure and activewear hoodies:

These come from factories that specialise in moisture-wicking fabrics, flatlock and stretch seams, and synthetic blends such as polyester-elastane and nylon-spandex. India's man-made textile exports grew 13.6% in April to August 2026.

Streetwear and lifestyle hoodies:

These come from premium cut-and-sew factories that work with heavyweight cotton fleece, French terry and loopback fabrics. These factories cut oversized silhouettes and run custom garment-dye, acid and enzyme washes. India's cotton textile exports grew 18.0% over the same five months.

Australian buyers get the best results when they brief each hoodie manufacturer on one category, with fabric weight, blend and finish defined upfront.

Where does India's knitwear capacity sit?

Tiruppur in Tamil Nadu is India's leading knitwear export centre. Its factories make T-shirts, innerwear, sportswear, children's wear and fashion knitwear, shipping to markets that include the UK, Canada and Australia. Industry leaders in Tiruppur report rising demand for man-made fibre garments.

What Australian brands should take from India's hoodie sourcing options

ECTA's full duty-free access and India's rising textile exports give Australian brands a compelling case for sourcing hoodies from India. Athleisure and streetwear lines each need a factory with the right fabrics, seams and finishing. Australian brands can source athleisure hoodies, heavyweight streetwear hoodies, zip-up hoodies and sweatshirts from India through rivexa.

rivexa is an online B2B marketplace for sourcing apparel. Buyers are matched with verified hoodie manufacturers via a dedicated sales contact who oversees all stages of the sourcing process, from supplier discovery to dispatch.

About rivexa:

rivexa Is an online B2B marketplace from mjunction services limited, a joint venture of Tata Steel and SAIL (Steel Authority of India Limited). The platform connects global buyers with verified Indian manufacturers across apparel and industrial categories. Australian brands use it to find hoodie manufacturers for activewear and lifestyle ranges. More at: https://www.rivexa.com/