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While hailing the increase in MSP for cotton, the Southern India Mills’ Association (SIMA) has emphasised on the need for Price Stabilisation Fund (PSF) scheme and a Technology Mission on Cotton (TMC) in a revised format to double the income of the cotton farmers and to grow the business of the industry as well.
Cotton PSF scheme consisting of 5 to 7 per cent interest subvention, 10 per cent margin money and nine months credit limit would enable spinning mills and the Cotton Corporation of India to compete with multinational cotton traders and cover cotton during peak season.
PSF would also bring more GST revenue and boost exports. To roll out TMC (between 1999 and 2002) and introduction of Bt cotton, India emerged the largest producer of cotton. Following the government’s withdrawal of extension of TMC, farmers’ suffering began with spurious seeds, lack of seed technology and technology transfer, agronomy research, quality deterioration of the fibre at ginning stage and so on.
The Southern India Mills’ Association (SIMA) has emphasised the need for Price Stabilisation Fund (PSF) scheme and a Technology Mission on Cotton (TMC) in a revised format to double the income of cotton farmers and to grow the business of the industry as well.
The textile industry, which is predominantly MSME in nature could not compete with the multinational traders in covering cotton requirement. They thus were forced to shell out 10 to 25 per cent higher cost for home grown cotton during off-season.
Monforts supplies finishing range for the denim industry. Monforts’ Eco Line for denim is based on two key technology advances: the Eco Applicator for minimum application of selected moist finishing chemicals and ThermoStretch.
As an alternative to conventional padding, especially for wet-in-wet solutions, the Monforts Eco Applicator can significantly reduce the amount of applied humidity required prior to the stretching and skewing of the denim fabric. It also allows mills to apply finishes to just one side of the fabric, or both, and even to apply separate finishes to each side, or to specific areas of a fabric, for endless denim differentiation possibilities.
ThermoStretch carries out skewing (weft straightening), stretching and drying in a continuous process. Due to these innovations, the Eco Line system reduces energy requirements and losses, increases thermal transfer and keeps the drying energy on the textile material longer. As a result energy savings of up to 50 per cent are being achieved.
Monforts will be introducing a number of new innovations for denim in the near future, including a solution for the introduction of two-way super stretch into denim in a single processing step.
Denim manufacturing consumes huge amounts of energy and resources at virtually all stages of production, but especially during shrink finishing.
There has been a huge negative impact on Indian apparel industry due to the current banking scenario. The documentation system of banks, which was fairly strong earlier, has now become more stringent. Even ad hoc limits take nearly three months to get executed, and a loan is something apparel manufacturers cannot expect easily now.
Apparel manufacturing is one business which requires hefty investments due to its capital and labor-intensive nature and longer rotation cycle. Garment manufacturers and exporters largely depend on banks for their funding. Banks are now stricter about rating and are going in for three different ratings to make sure of the credentials of a company and avoid taking any risks. Due to the change in laws in the Middle East and Dubai, buyers from these countries are now reluctant. With most of the business coming from these two markets, there has been a downfall of nearly 30 per cent in business.
Balance sheets of apparel manufacturers, especially exporters, do not look healthy. This results in a huge pressure on financial limits. In addition, after demonetisation and GST, fund availability is not as easy as it used to be. For an industry already in stress, this new attitude of the banks has only amplified the troubles. PSU banks are not lending money, and even private banks are not taking stressed assets.
Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles will be held from August 27 to 30, 2018. The quality of the participating exhibitors is always an attraction at the fair. This year, a number of top suppliers from China and abroad will take advantage of the annual event and showcase customers all kinds of competitive products.
Taking advantage of the latest innovative technology, manufacturers are able to incorporate green elements and more user-friendly properties into their products.
With growing middle and upper classes in China, consumers’ buying trends have shifted from single home textile products to a combination of items with one particular design trend. Matching this trend a number of home exhibitors who provide one-stop services, from selecting home textile products to home decoration ideas, have been under the limelight in recent editions of Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles.
One exhibitor, Mulei Textile, specialises in all kinds of linen products ranging from bedding and curtains to sofa upholstery, carpets and more and will demonstrate in its booth how to create a green, environmentally friendly and healthy living space. A supplier of Ikea, Maisons, Depot and Intratuin, Casa'I Do is another whole home exhibitor that excels at making use of color mixtures, nature and plants, metal and gold to create different themes for whole home decoration and products.
US noted a dip in volumes of underwear imports from January to May 2018 by 3.13 per cent. Import was valued at $1,454.81 million a growth of 0.63 per cent on Y-o-Y basis. India and Vietnam lead in underwear imports to the US followed by countries like China, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
India shipped 7.34 million dozen of underwear to the US worth $131.37 million marking a growth of 3.07 per cent in value-terms and 10.16 per cent in volume-terms. India marked a profitable period due to high unit prices valued at $17.89 per dozen. This unprecedented growth indicates, India has been able to capture orders of high-end underwear.
Vietnam too posted a solid period as it shipped 18.89 million dozen of underwear fetching $245.59 million, not far behind to the export value of China which clocked $299.57 million and exported 19.33 million dozen of underwear in the US market.
In value and volume of export Vietnam grew by an impressive 12.68 per cent and 1.97 per cent, respectively, while China fell drastically by 4.86 per cent in value and 4.53 per cent in volume. Given the pace of growth, Vietnam is expected to takeover China in underwear export to the US by the end of 2018.
Moving on to Bangladesh, data shows a negative trend as it dipped 3.72 per cent and exported underwear worth $ 119.06 million. The analysis indicates the trend of basic underwear is on an all-time low, while underwear made up from specialised fabrics and manufactured with advanced technologies will surely make a mark in the future.
Many of the exhibitors at trade shows Premium and Seek held from July 3 to 5 were clearly inspired by the green, ethical sentiment that is spreading throughout the fashion world. There seems to be a growing awareness in the industry of the urgent need to transform the traditional modes of doing business in textiles and fashion.
Filippa K has overhauled its approach from the bottom up, creating a virtuous circle from the fabrics it uses to the clothes’ treatment at the end of their useful life. The Swedish label has set itself the goal of becoming 100 per cent sustainable by 2030. In the meantime, it progresses gradually towards full sustainability by using recycled wool, polyester, zips and yarns, as well as vegetable ivory buttons.
North Sails too adopted a more sustainable approach, reducing its consumption of plastics and using more recycled fabrics. Its spring/summer 2019 collection features recycled plastic or cotton.
Danish label Selected launched its sustainability strategy a year ago. Nearly 60 per cent of its women’s wear collection, and 70 per cent of menswear, is made using sustainable materials.
Denim label Nudie Jeans utilises biological cotton only, and is transparent about its sourcing: its website indicates the provenance of the fabrics it uses, and where the various products are manufactured.
China looking at importing cotton from Myanmar. China has been importing cotton from the US for 10 years but the ongoing trade war has made China look elsewhere. And Myanmar is a possible source. One reason for the interest is Myanmar does not charge import duties on cotton yet.
China is the world’s largest importer of cotton. China’s demand for cotton could drive prices higher than their current levels, though. This year’s Myanmar’s pre-monsoon cotton yield is much lower than last year’s because there are fewer growers. In Myanmar, cotton is grown only in a few townships.
On the flipside, rising cotton prices could encourage more growers to return to the industry. With higher prices for cotton, more farmers could be expected to start growing cotton later this year.
In Myanmar, cotton is planted twice a year, in February and July, with both seasons lasting four months each. The harvest from both seasons is distributed equally between the local and Chinese markets. However, cotton plant cultivators in Myanmar constantly face difficulties in obtaining seeds and face challenges due to scarcity of labor. Myanmar exported around 4,300 tons of cotton to China in 2016-17 compared to just 1.6 tons in 2013-14.
Apparel Textile Sourcing Canada (ATSC) will be held August from 20 to 22, 2018. The show will unveil latest in apparel from countries such as Switzerland, Spain, the US, UK, India, Turkey, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Nepal. This is an event for anyone wanting to make connections and do business with fashion, apparel and textile contacts across the globe.
Highlights of the event include: a Made in Ukraine showcase introducing eight Ukrainian designers and manufacturers; more than 500 international exhibits; three days of seminars and panels; and a spectacular fashion show spotlighting one-of-a-kind designs from established and up-and-coming Canadian designers.
More than 5,000 visitors are expected to attend over the three-days. The event, now in its third year, will attract apparel and fashion executives, influencers, designers, retailers, importers, wholesalers, merchandisers, buyers and suppliers. A unique on-site business matchmaking service will be offered to bring overseas suppliers and contacts together with interested Canadian show attendees.
Top, high-quality Chinese brands are looking for Canadian representatives to import and distribute their products in Canada. New to this year’s event is the addition of the China Brand Show, coming to Canada for the first time as part of ATSC and adding categories such as accessories, giftware, home electronics, footwear, luggage and houseware and general merchandise.
Countries like Thailand, Indonesia and possibly the UK are looking to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership. This is a huge free trade zone that will account for 13 per cent of the world's gross domestic product and 15 per cent of global trade.
TPP-11 nations are big recipients of exports from Asean members that have signed the agreement, or are likely to join later. The US’ decision to pull out almost collapsed the TPP as Asean members had little incentive to remain in the pact, which required them to push through painful domestic reforms without the benefit of access to the US market.
Malaysia and Vietnam opted to stay in the agreement, while Thailand and Indonesia warmed to it. The US pullout reduced the clout of the trade accord. America is a major export market for these Southeast Asian nations, accounting for 10 to 20 per cent of their exports but only Singapore has a bilateral FTA with the world's largest economy. For Asean members, the primary reason for being part of the trade pact was greater access to the lucrative US market.
Thailand and Malaysia began FTA talks with the US in 2004 and 2006, respectively, but negotiations fizzled because of unworkable US demands.
The alpaca fiber market is expected to have astounding growth in the coming years. Alpaca is a natural fiber that provides more warmth minus the scratchy texture of wool. Alpaca clothing is warm, soft, and extremely comfortable.
The market is witnessing high growth mainly due to an upsurge in demand for alpaca fiber fleeces and other types of fashion accessories made with alpaca fiber. As the trend of offering highly sustainable and eco-friendly garments and accessories is gaining popularity in the fashion apparel industry, the alpaca fiber market is growing at a rapid pace with the surging demand for warm and soft alpaca fiber.
As high genetic merits can lead to producing large quantities of high-quality alpaca fiber, manufacturers in the alpaca fiber market are putting efforts into providing nutritious feed to alpacas. Nutrition makes a significant impact on the health and reproduction capabilities of alpacas, and ultimately helps to obtain softer and high-quality alpaca fiber.
Peru is the largest alpaca fiber producer and has some 3.8 million alpacas, which is 87 per cent of the world’s alpaca population. The country’s alpaca exports increased by over 110 per cent in 2017 with a rise of over 14 per cent average per kilogram in the export price.
