The fast-moving pandemic has injected a tremendous amount of uncertainty into every link in the global supply chain. Millions of people are self-isolating and the cotton and textile business is at a virtual standstill. A recent survey by the International Textile Manufacturers’ Federation (ITFM) indicated that the global textile industry had experienced a 31 per cent decline in orders by early April.

The survey also pointed out that all regions around the world had suffered a significant number of cancellations and/or postponements of orders, especially South America and Africa, where orders declined 41 per cent and 38 per cent respectively.

The international wool industry has been negatively affected by the pandemic, leaving many wool producers with uncertainty about the options available for their clips. According to the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC), the effect of COVID-19 on the cotton industry is very uncertain

The National Farm Online website reported that due to lockdowns in the US and Europe, many orders had been cancelled. Hennie Bruwer, CEO of Cotton South Africa, told Farmer’s Weekly that he expected cotton consumption to be suppressed worldwide due to the slowdown of the global economy, as well as the effects of COVID-19.

However, South Africa’s cotton industry was in a good position because of the quality product produced by local farmers, which earned them premium prices.