FW
Pakistan has reimposed customs duty on cotton imports.
The aim is to maintain stability in cotton prices in the country, give farmers a confidence for better management and investment in the existing crop, thus helping in improving yields. The duty was brought back under the fear that if cotton imports were to continue, an imbalance in cotton stocks in the country would result and in turn exert a downward pressure on cotton prices in the beginning of the current season, thus jeopardizing the interest of farmers.
Pakistan produces around 13 million bales of cotton while it imports about a million bales to meet the gap between consumption and production. Additionally, one to 1.5 million bales Extra Long Staple (ELS) cotton per annum is also imported as this quality is not produced in the country. Cotton production in 2017-18 witnessed a 12 per cent increase over the past year.
But the area under cotton in Pakistan has witnessed a decline over the last few years. Price advantage and support price of other commodities are among the main reasons for this decline.
So customs duties and sales tax were reimposed on the import of cotton prior to the arrival of cotton in the market.
US textile exports are now facing retaliatory tariffs from Canada and the European Union.
This is in response to the US’ decision to place tariffs on aluminum and steel coming from some of the country’s closest trading partners: Europe, Canada and Mexico.
The EU has threatened tariffs on US products including cotton bed linen, various fabrics, cotton blankets and traveling rugs, and down or feather-filled bedding. The European Union will slap 25 per cent tariffs on imports from the United States. Those include men’s and women’s blue jeans, T-shirts, shorts, men’s synthetic woven industrial and occupational trousers, cotton woven bed linen that is not printed, and footwear with upper and outer soles of leather not covering the ankle.
Canada plans to retaliate by imposing its own countermeasures against imports of selected US products equal to the value of Canadian goods affected by the US tariffs.
Canada has also issued a list of threatened retaliatory tariffs on US exports. The list includes table cloths, sleeping bags, napkins. Canada is also proposing to respond to the US’ imposition of tariffs on Canadian products by targeting US mattresses sent to Canada.
Mexico will also issue a list that includes several agricultural, steel and aluminum products although there has been no mention of textile or home fashion products.
Calik’s smart stretch concept for women is being extended to its men’s collection.
Using new technologies to increase its holding power and help it keep shape, smart stretch works to enhance both slim and curvaceous figures. Earlier the waist and knee areas were compressed but now with the new added smart stretch technology the fabric knows exactly where to stretch and where not.
Calik Denim, based in Turkey, produces 44 million meters of denim a year in its 1,91,080 sq mt facility.
With Rinstate, Calik focuses on raw denim that’s ready to wear after rinse washing. Offered in two colors and three silhouettes, the grouping saves energy, time and water and reduces chemical use—all with color fast characteristics.
The Fly Jean concept features stay-black and bi-directional stretch and a super soft hand, allowing for lightness and flexibility.
Oxygene is an eco-friendly concept. Calik is pushing the concept further with over-cracked, natural slub and cross hatch options.
Weaveland is about classic velour and cord. The concept includes the PFD fabric family, which helps garment makers dye the fabric any color they choose. Following Calik Denim’s Red Carpet concept, a contemporary take on ’80s disco pants, Weaveland is another great innovation uniting denim with on-trend textures.
In response to President Donald Trump removal of the exemptions, from additional tariffs on steel and aluminum from EU member countries.
EU had threatened additional tariffs on U.S. products including cotton bedlinen, various fabrics, cotton blankets and traveling rugs, and down or feather-filled bedding.
Canada has also issued a list of threatened retaliatory tariffs on U.S. exports to go into effect on July 1. That list includes home textiles items such as tablecloths and serviettes/napkins, sleeping bags, other bedding and similar articles.
On the other hand, the U.S. government is scheduled to publish its list of Chinese imports that will be subject to tariffs on June 15.
Mexico will also issue a list that includes several agricultural, steel and aluminum products, although there has been no mention of textile or home fashion products. Canada is also proposing to impose tariffs on U.S. mattresses sent to Canada.
The global textile dyes market is expected to have a CAGR of six per cent from 2017 to 2022.
With the increased demand for design alteration on clothing, demand for printing will increase significantly in the coming days. Hence demand for dyes usable in digital printing heads and printing paste will increase. Demand for printing inks will also increase significantly.
Manufacturers are trying to choose more efficient and environment-friendly dyes to reduce the cost of manufacturing and to reduce the impact on the environment.
Demand for regenerated fibers like viscose, lyocel will increase very fast. And polyester as a fiber will continue to grow as well.
Textile dyehouses are looking for cleaner dyestuffs and processes. And so they are working hard to reduce waste. Demand for high-performance dyes, pigments and inks will be on the rise. On the contrary low efficient dyes will face big market challenges.
Consumption of dyestuffs may go down in coming days, mainly because of growing demand for efficient dyes and an increase of printing as a method of coloring. However another trend, washing and vintage worn-out looked fashion, will offset this trend and eventually the demand of dyes in volume is expected to remain almost stable.
Faced with government pressure to reduce pollutants and the need to adhere to corporate social responsibility guidelines, sportswear companies are now focusing on using less plastic while simultaneously recycling old material and using newer technologies to alter the way they manufacture products.
Nike for instance makes 75 per cent of its products from recycled material—including sneakers and premium jerseys. The company also claims to have diverted over 51 million pounds of waste materials globally between May 2016 and 2017.
Similarly, US-based Alternative Apparel Inc., recycles over 100,000 discarded plastic bottles annually and uses organic cotton in place of conventional cotton.
Alcis Sports has been making T-shirts from waste plastic bottles since the past two years. Called Wonder Tee, each T-shirt uses about 8 plastic bottles. Alcis now aims to have 50% of its products manufactured from recycled polyester, made from waste plastic bottles.
Swedish clothing retail company Hennes and Mauritz AB’s H&M Foundation has partnered with The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel to develop newer technologies for recycling by 2020.
Fitness apparel purveyor Expert Brand, a member of SEAMS, offers active sportswear that is lightweight, comfortable and ready-made for today’s man or woman on the go.
The brand has launched its Siro Collection which is designed with durability in mind and offers a premium on high performance - even with daily wear. From muscle tees to short sleeves to even hoodies, the apparel is a fitting staple to any active American wardrobe.
The Tritec Collection, already revered for its unique blend of three performance materials delivering on durability, moisture-management, and comfort, is produced in America and, fittingly, most items are available in red, white and blue.
The OxyMesh Collection is American produced for American athletes. Used for US Army recruits, with an ambitious take on breathability and comfort. Leave it to good old fashioned American ingenuity to add in antimicrobials to combat unpleasant odor as well!
Apparel Textile Sourcing Show was held in Miami, May 21 to 23.
The show presented a wide range of international suppliers from around the globe who showcased textiles, trims and accessories, manufacturing and private label development services, and finished apparel.
Almost 2,000 attendees walked through the door of the three-day trade show. Apparel Textile Sourcing Miami featured 139 exhibitors representing 17 countries including China, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras, Peru, the US.
China was heavily represented on the show floor with a large showing of high-quality textile, apparel and trims suppliers.
Over 20 seminars took place throughout the three days, addressing a comprehensive range of topics including sustainability, global sourcing, supply chain, social compliance, influencer marketing, and branding strategies. Sessions were presented by industry experts, top educators, respected designers, influential bloggers and economists.
Attendees flooded the show floor seeking to expand their business. They were able to get different customers from other countries.
Product categories covered apparel and textiles from fashion to function, from leather to lace. Categories included finished apparel for men, women, and children that range from leisure, formal, denim, active, swim, intimates, and performance. Exhibitors also displayed home ware and linen, hardware, and textiles that included cotton, knits, yarns, leather, synthetics and blends.
An unpublished study of Dhaka University and The Centre of Excellence of BGMEA estimates that the 34,340 expatriates holding top positions in RMG factories in Bangladesh are remitting around $2.36 billion they receive in salary and allowances.
The total figure is likely to be much higher as the study did not take foreigners working in buying houses and other garment-related organisations into account.
The amount the foreigners in RMG sector are remitting is almost one-eleventh of the total export earning of RMG sector in a year. Besides, the remittance flowing out of the country is about one-eighth of what Bangladeshi expatriates remit to the country.
The study estimates total of 34,340 expatriate employees to be working in the RMG sector in different positions such as CEO, CFO, general manager, senior manager, head of dyeing, head of washing, and head of quality assurance.
It is also estimated that total salary paid to foreign employees is $2,359,983,090 per year. Owners employed 1 to 100 foreigners at the factories.
India plans to request the United States to quickly renew the generalised system of preferences (GSP) scheme, which allows market access at zero or low duties for about 3,500 Indian products, including textiles and chemicals.
The US Trade Representative’s (USTR) office did not renew the scheme for India in April, saying it wanted to hold an eligibility review.
GSP is the largest and oldest U.S. trade preference program. Established by the Trade Act of 1974, GSP promotes economic development by eliminating duties on thousands of products when imported from one of 120 designated beneficiary countries and territories.
Though the US Congress had voted to extend the GSP scheme through 2020, it was not done so for India, Indonesia and Kazakhstan.
Petitions were filed by the US dairy and medical device industries highlighting trade barriers in India and requesting a review of India’s GSP benefits.
The United States is reportedly unhappy with recent caps imposed by India on medical products such as stents.
