Textile Market News

On World Cotton Day 2024, India's premium cotton brand, Kasturi Cotton Bharat, made significant strides towards global recognition. A series of MoUs were signed to promote sustainable cotton farming, boost farmer incomes, and enhance the quality of Indian cotton. Key partners like TEXPROCIL, CITI, and the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) joined forces to boost Kasturi Cotton across the value chain. Initiatives included promoting awareness of Indian cotton, optimizing production in key regions, and supporting sustainably sourced cotton.

India is expected to increase its cotton imports during the 2024-25 crop year due to factors like lower carry-forward stocks from previous year and decline in sowing acreage. These factors are projected to reduce domestic cotton production. The shortfall is likely to be supplemented by imports, Cotton Association of India (CAI) estimates a total of 35 lakh bales, up from 16.40 lakh bales in the 2023-24 season.

Xinjiang, China's largest cotton-growing region is currently experiencing its annual cotton harvest. Known for its abundant sunshine and dry climate, the region produces over 80 per cent of China's total cotton output. Due to the varying climates between northern and southern Xinjiang, the cotton-picking season extends until late October.Farmers like Ma Zhanhui are reporting promising yields, with some fields expected to produce over 500 kilograms of cotton per mu.

The Tamil Nadu Federation of Powerlooms Associations has raised concerns over the delayed supply of cotton yarn, which is hindering the production of dhotis and sarIs for the upcoming Pongal festival. The state government had placed a significant order for 1.77 crore dhotis and 1.77 crore sarIs to be distributed through ration shops and to beneficiaries of the Old Age Pension Scheme. However, due to late issuance of the production order, the federation expects to complete only 50 per cent of the order by the end of December 2024.

To boost India's economic development, the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI-CMSME) are jointly organizing the Gujarat MSME Summit 2025 in Surat. The summit, scheduled for January 25-26, 2025, aims to leverage the immense potential of Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) to achieve the ambitious goal of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047. xDuring a recent curtain raiser event, SGCCI President Vijay Mewawala emphasized the pivotal role of MSMEs in India's economy. These enterprises contribute significantly to employment, domestic production, and exports.

Ladakh’s Pashmina wool has got the Geographical Indication (GI) Registration Certificate. Giriraj Singh handed over the certificate to the state governor. Singh emphasized the GI tagging of Pashmina wool, previously promoted as Kashmiri, will benefit Ladakh’s Pashmina herders and entrepreneurs, enhancing regional GDP. He advocated for increased production and the establishment of Pashmina breeding farms in Leh and Kargil. Singh also suggested initiatives to reduce goat mortality rates and promote stall feeding.

Following the resounding success of its Spring and Autumn Editions in 2024, Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics is gearing up for another exciting event. The upcoming Spring Edition will take place from March 11-13, 2025, at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). This year's fair will feature an expanded range of offerings, including the Intertextile Directions Trend Forum for Spring/Summer 2026, the return of the Econogy Hub and Digital Solutions Zone, and a comprehensive fringe program.

The global hemp yarn market is seeing rapid growth, driven by a rising demand for sustainable and eco-friendly textiles. Valued at $14.36 billion in 2023, the market is projected to grow at 11.71 per cent CAGR from 2025-32, reaching a value of $38.9 billion by 2032. Hemp's unique properties, including biodegradability, low water and pesticide requirements, mold and UV resistance, and hypoallergenic qualities, make it a compelling alternative to traditional materials like cotton.

A month-long campaign aimed at promoting the sustainable and social qualities of Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) -certified organic cotton garnered significant industry support. The #BehindTheSeams initiative, which ran throughout September, saw participation from over 290 brands worldwide. The campaign featured daily giveaways from various brands, including fashion, home textiles, and bedding companies. Notable home brands involved in the bedding giveaways were Naturepedic and Mungo.

The Sircilla Textile Park Cloth Manufacturers Association plans to shut down operations on October 6 due to persistent financial losses and operational challenges. The decision was made during a general body meeting. The textile park, located in the Baddenapalli area of Sircilla, houses 70 units that are struggling to pay electricity bills amid soaring costs and limited marketing opportunities. The association's president, Annaldas Anil Kumar, expressed concerns about the industry's viability, citing rising electricity rates (currently at Rs. 8 per unit), increasing raw material prices, and inadequate marketing facilities. As a result, garments worth nearly Rs 80 crore are currently unsold.

The Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) of the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) held its Fifth Open Session, focusing on the critical issues of traceability and sustainability in the natural fiber industry. Industry leaders from diverse sectors discussed the importance of establishing a common definition of traceability, developing a standardized bale ID system, and ensuring support for global implementation. They emphasized the need for collaboration between governments, brands, and industry stakeholders to drive progress in these areas.

Khammam district is gearing up for the upcoming kharif procurement season, with the district administration making preparations to handle the expected influx of paddy and cotton.

The domestic textile industry received a significant boost with the government's decision to extend the Minimum Import Price (MIP) on 13 specific HSN codes of synthetic knitted fabrics.

Better Cotton has reported a successful growing season, with production increasing despite a decrease in licensed farmers.

A new report reveals the devastating impact of climate change on India's cotton farmers.

The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) convened its 82nd Plenary Meeting in Tashkent on September 30, 2024.