Apparel exports from the country slowed down registering a growth of just 1.5 percent y-o-y in February at $1.29 billion ($1.27 billion), according to data released by the Apparel Export Promotion Council of India on Wednesday.

India's apparel exports stood at $1.26 billion in February 2010-11.

In rupee terms, exports have increased by 9.8 percent in February 2012 over the same month of the previous fiscal.
Recent fall in exports is due to lower demand from European markets, said AEPC but it added that demand is picking up in the American market.

The US and Europe together account for about 80% of the country's total apparel exports.

During April-February 2011-12, garment exports grew by about 19% year-on-year to $12.1 billion.

To reduce the dependence on traditional markets like the US and Europe, apparel exporters are exploring new markets in Japan, West Asia, Africa and Australia.