Covid Pandemic cost Surat’s textile sector Rs. 920 crore

The night curfew put in place to curb the recent surge in new COVID-19 cases has severely hit the city’s textile businesses, which expect further losses of about Rs920 crore. Traders, who had been hoping to see a return to normal sales in the post-Diwali period, say the 9 pm curfew has kept local purchasers away.

“The lockdown created a severe dent in sales. We had hoped to bounce back after Diwali, but the night curfew has meant we have to shut our shutters earlier than usual, so business has been down, they said.

Traders added that they customarily see about Rs120 crore in business prior to Christmas and Rs800 crore around Pongal (January 14-15) time.

However, that is not happening,” one trader said. The state had seen a spurt in cases brought on by a laxity in following COVID-19 protocols, especially in markets, in the run-up to and during Diwali. “We received some pre-Diwali orders, which were to be delivered after Diwali, so that has kept us busy.

However, dispatch has been getting delayed due to the curfew and some orders have been cancelled recently,” the trader added. In addition, with restrictions on weddings, engagments and other social events also in place, the general demand for apparel has seen a further decline in the local market.