India is the world’s seventh largest producer of wool with the third largest sheep population amounting to 71 million in total. India’s sheep together produce 43.3 million kg of raw wool. About 85% of this wool is carpet grade wool, 5% apparel grade and 10% coarser grade wool. In 2014, Indian wool exports totaled about $2.3 billion, while wool consumption in 2015 was estimated at 135 million kg and is expected to increase to 260 million kg by 2019 to 2020. In 2014 to 2015, wool and wool blended exports totaled $1.86 billion. Some of these wool products included ready-made wool garments, woolen yarn, fabrics, made-ups, and woolen hand-made carpets. The main countries that import Indian wool and woolen goods are the United States, the European Union, the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia.
Most of the wool industry is located in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat. About 40% of wool production units are located in Punjab, 27% in Haryana, 10% in Rajasthan, and 23% are in the remaining states. The larger units are located in Maharashtra, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and West Bengal.
The Wool Industry Export Promotion council, a non-profit organization helps develop foreign markets for India’s producers.
Last updated: August 6th, 2016
