Brazil will supply cotton to Indonesia. Asian countries like Indonesia need imported cotton to make up for the shortfall in domestic supply.

Indonesia is the sixth largest importer of Brazilian cotton in the world. The surge in demand for imported high-quality cotton has paved the way for a resurgent Brazil’s cementing its position as the world’s fourth largest producer and second largest exporter of cotton.In the last four years, Brazil’s cotton production has more than doubled. This has been mainly achieved by the use of advanced agricultural technologies and the adoption of non-irrigated agricultural practices in over 90 per cent of Brazil’s cotton farms.

During the 2021-2022 harvest season, Brazilian farms have supplied 1,55,000 tons of cotton to Indonesia.In the world’s textile industry, Brazilian cotton has a 28 per cent market share. Brazilian cotton supply is expected to grow again this year. This year's harvest area is expected to increase 15 per cent compared to last year. Production is expected to reach nearly 2.5 million tonnes, making this the second best harvest season in the history of Brazilian cotton.

Globally, Brazil exported 1.519 million tons of cotton between August 2021 and April 2022, generating US$2.87 billion in revenue. Brazil estimates that total exports will reach 1.8 million tons in the next cycle, with an estimated 2.2 million tons for the period 2023 to 2024.

Bangladesh’s readymade garment exports to non-traditional markets grew by 24 per centfrom July 2022 to October 2022. Of the total amount, export revenue from woven products grew by 29 per cent.

Earnings from knitwear goods were up by 19 per cent. From July 2022 to October 2022 apparel exports to Japan rose by 26 per cent. Exports to India rose by 55 per cent.

Garment exports to Australia grew by eight per cent. Apparel exports to South Korea saw a 40 per cent growth. Apparel export earnings to Mexico grew by 46 per cent. Bangladesh is exploring new destinations to make the garment sector sustainable. Exports to non-traditional markets have grown from less than a billion dollars to five billion dollars in the last 12 years.

Fashion buyers have increased confidence in Bangladesh due to quality products and timely delivery. In the last few years, the country has made huge progress in the areas of responsible and sustainable manufacturing. But several initiatives are needed to fully utilize the potential of the markets. There is a need to look beyond the conventional pattern of business and growth, and prioritize investments in technologies, modernization, skills, efficiency, and diversification in the product range, which will add more value to the country’s business and competitiveness.

Winter clothes have become costlier in Nepal due to a strong dollar, higher transportation costs and slowed deliveries from China. Prices of winter clothes have become exorbitant this season.

It is normal for prices to go up every year, but this year business has gone haywire.Jacket prices have gone up by Rs600 to Rs1000 depending upon the design and quality of the material. Sales have declined.

A shortage of raw materials has prevented Nepal’s clothing makers from ramping up production. After inflation slowed imports and China also slashed shipments, Nepal’s apparel manufacturers had hoped to cash in on the lack of competition but were held back by a shortage of raw materials.

Prices of yarn and fabric are 20 per cent to 30 percent higher than they were last year. Zippers have become 40 percent dearer. On top of that, apparel makers pay a18 per cent to 30 percent tax. All these added costs have made goods expensive in the domestic market. Import of raw materials from China was halted after the Covid pandemic and Nepal then announced a 100 percent margin amount requirement to open a letter of credit, which made things more difficult for importers.A scarcity of skilled manpower, caused by mass departures to greener pastures abroad, is another problem troubling apparel manufacturers in Nepal.

Indian cotton prices are ruling firm above Rs 65,000 a candy. In view of the firm trend in prices, which are 20 per cent higher than global rates, the natural fiber consumption will likely be lower.

Indian cotton consumption is expected to decline by nearly 27 lakh bales. Arrivals are low as farmers are holding back the produce. Over 125 lakh bales of cotton have been harvested. But hardly 50 per cent of the harvested crop has arrived in the markets. Farmers want prices like last year.

Cotton arrivals till now from October 1 are 57.98 lakh bales compared with 98.31 lakh bales a year ago.Arrivals are lower in all cotton-growing states this year.The high prices for cotton are deterring the textile industry. Spinning mills are working at 50 per cent to 70 per cent capacity. Since domestic prices are ruling over 15 per cent higher than global rates, the industry wants 11 per cent import duty on cotton to be scrapped.

Import duty removal is expected to play a crucial role in determining the competitiveness of the value chain in immediate future order bookings for apparel exports. This is one of the primary reasons for the decrease in the export of cotton yarn, cotton, and cotton fabric.

Simon Whitmarsh-Knight is the textile global marketing director of Hyosung.

He will be based in the UK and travel extensively to support the team and connect with leading international, brands, retailers, and value chain partners. He will lead Hyosung’s global marketing for creora elastane, Mipan nylon, and specialty polyester fibers to deliver continuous innovation, superior value, and collaborative services throughout the textile value chain.

He brings extensive sales, marketing, and team-building experience in growing business across the specialty fiber, technical textile and performance apparel industries. He has directed high-level partnerships across the textile value chain – from mills to packagers, garment makers, fiber ingredient brands, distributors, licensees, and major consumer brands.

Hyosung is a Korean fiber and yarn company. Hyosung is the largest elastane producer in the world and first developed its own process for manufacturing spandex in 1992. Creora is a brand belonging to Hyosung. Hyosung offers a broad range of high quality, competitively-priced fiber technologies throughout the global apparel value chain.

The spandex range includes Creora dyeable spandex, Creora black spandex and Creora fresh spandex. Hyosung’s high-performance elastane creora called ActiFitis designed to provide longer-lasting durability, higher levels of UV and chlorine resistance and better shape and recovery that is required of cycling, swimming, triathlon and adventure racing apparel.

Texcon will be held in New Delhi, December 23, 2022.The theme of this year’s conference is about capitalising the emerging opportunities to create a competitive textile and apparel sector.

The conference will cover topics such as the changing landscape of the global textile industry, the global geo-political shift, diversification of the supply chain, free trade agreements and textile recycling, among others.

The inaugural session of the conference will highlight and focus on the changing landscape witnessed by the global textile industry. In addition, it will help strategise the approach and the wayforward toward tapping the growth prospects and opportunity for the Indian textile and apparel industry. One session will discuss the shift in the global geopolitical landscape and how the search for an alternate market to China has opened and provided many growth and development opportunities for the Indian textile and apparel sector. This session will deliberate on the impact of the global geo-political and macroeconomic changes in the Indian textile and apparel sector and how India can leverage the opportunities it presents.

Another session will address issues related to the supply chain in manmade fibers and cotton. Yet another session on textile recycling will focus on the challenges and opportunities in India’s circularity and sustainability journey.

Clothing sold in Canada is predominately imported. The country is one of the world’s top ten largest apparel consumption markets and presents a significant opportunity for clothing manufacturers, wholesalers, fashion brands, and retailers around the world.

Canadian apparel and textile importers and retailers are eager to connect with the world’s major apparel and textile manufacturers.The total value of apparel production in Canada continues to decrease while apparel imports continue to increase. China’s apparel shipments to Canada during October 2022 fell 27 percent on a monthly basis and one percent on a yearly basis. On the other hand, Vietnam – the second top shipper to Canada – grew by three percent on a month on month basis and 81 percent on a year on year basisin its apparel exports to the North American country. Bangladesh’s exports of apparel to Canada were up 30 percent on a year on year basis and down one percent month on month. India’s exports of garments to Canada in October 2022 fell ten percent monthly but increased 13 percent yearly. Indian manufacturers have a great opportunity to interact directly with Canadian buyers and fashion and apparel experts.

The crossfit apparel market is growing by two per cent a year. The women’s segment leads the crossfit apparel market.

The ongoing health and wellness trend is the primary driver of the demand for crossfit apparel, prompting consumers to spend on this apparel, thereby fueling the overall crossfit apparel market growth. Sales of crossfit apparel are on the surge as consumers focus on healthy regimes, and rising levels of health-consciousness are causing people to be pickier about gym clothes, personal training clothes, and casual work clothes.

Increased participation in sports and adventurous activities such as cycling and trekking is anticipated to propel the crossfit apparel market size to a considerable extent. The market’s growth is also contributed by fitness influencers’ aggressive efforts to promote active wear and attract consumers to the athleisure cult. Rising adoption of functionality-specific apparel and footwear, as well as technological advances, are considered to improve the crossfit apparel market statistics. Some recent developments in the crossfit apparel market include functional clothing, which is made with anti-bacterial materials that can prevent body odour.

Companies are offering sports shoes and socks with specialized features in response to an increase in the incidence of foot diseases and allergies, in turn, augmenting their crossfit apparel market share.

Monsoon is set to open more stores next year after a recovery in profitability and a return to high street shopping.

Based in the UK, the retailer now plans to open another 22 stores in the current financial year. Monsoon followed a strategy of product and brand renewal, digital transformation, retail portfolio restructuring, international restructuring, and central cost reduction and the strategy contributed ahead of expectations. The group is even confident of reaching the 200 store mark, if it wanted to.

Across the group, e-commerce sales make up 45 per cent of the total, up from around 20 per cent before the Covid pandemic hit. The proportion of e-commerce sales at Monsoon is much higher than at its sister brand Accessorize, where most sales are still made in stores. Over the past two years the company worked tirelessly to save the business, return it to a solid footing and secure its long-term future. The priority was to save the business, secure over 2,300 UK jobs and maintain its presence as a leader on the high street, which has been done.

Retail is doing great at the moment in the UK. The strength of the return to stores after a big pivot to e-commerce during the pandemic has surprised and delighted retailers.

Vietnam is forging partnerships with Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Belgium.

Trade between Vietnam and Luxembourg has risen 60 per cent over a year earlier. As of October 2022, Vietnam’s exports to the country were up 50 per cent year on year while imports were up 11 per cent. Vietnam mostly exports garment and footwear products to Luxembourg while importing fiber and chemicals from the country.

The Netherlands is one of the leading trade partners of Vietnam as it is a gateway to the EU and one of the largest logistics centers in the region. Trade between Vietnam and the Netherlands has increased about six per cent each year. The Netherlands is the sixth largest export market of Vietnam and the biggest among the EU members.

Belgium is the sixth largest European trade partner of Vietnam. Before Covid broke out, two-way trade would risesix to ten per cent each year. After a fall of ten per cent in 2020, the growth rate surged to 53 per cent in 2021. Vietnam is Belgium’s supplier of footwear, garment products, coffee and aquatic products. Meanwhile, Belgium provides Vietnam with pharmaceuticals, gems, machineries and equipment.Belgium has high demand for agro-fisheries products and traditional handicrafts, which are Vietnam’s strengths.