Cambodia’s garment, footwear, travel goods and other textile-related products exports grew 25 per cent to over $3 billion Q1FY 2022, reveals General Department of Customs and Excise of Cambodia (GDCE) stats. From January-March, Cambodia’s exports surged 24.8 per cent Y-o-Y to $3.155 billion, says Kiang Monika, Deputy Secretary General, Garment Manufacturers Association in Cambodia (GMAC)

He attributed the surge in garment exports to a stable production and continuing shift of influential orders away from China and Myanmar to other countries including Cambodia. He said, growth would likely extend until end-2022. However, increased sales does not necessarily guarantee an improvement in profits, he added. Ly Kunthai, President, Cambodia Footwear Association, says the association has been receiving a lot of orders since the reopening of economies and rolling back of COVID-19 restrictions.

Textile exports surged 15.2 per cent to $11.3896 billion in 2021, shows GMAC data. Of the total, garment exports accounted for $8.017 billion, footwear exports totaled $1.390 billion, travel goods were to the tune of $1.490 billion, and other categories clocked in at over $0.49 billion.

Weaving and processing units in Surat are struggling with raw material shortages and their rising prices. Prices of coal and lignite in the city have increased by over 100 per cent, electricity bills have surged by about 10-15 per cent while labor charges are surging by 12 per cent.

Ashok Badani, Owner of a processing unit says, prices of polyester yarn in the city have jumped by over 30 per cent in the last six months. This is making it difficult for weavers to buy yarn in large quantities, he adds. The steep rise in inputs costs is also disrupting production activities with most units running one shift 12-hour shift a day, adds Lalit Pipalya, Weaver.

Before the pandemic, weavers processed nearly 40 million metres of fabric per day. But now, they process only about 30 million metres a day. This threatens a 65 per cent decline in cluster’s turnover this year. Weavers’ operating margins are also being squeezed as they do not pass all additional costs to consumers. However, this has led to a 50 per cent decline in their own profit margins. Over 75 per cent of the 50,000 plus weaving units and more than 400 textile processing houses in Surat are relatively small units or MSMEs. Jitendra Vakharia, President, South Gujarat Textile Processors Association (SGTPA), says, their small capacities make it harder for them to absorb the sudden hike in raw-materials and other costs.

The Surat textile cluster provides direct employment to over two million people in the city.

India's first and largest digital ecosystem for natural fibre supply chain Reshmandi has set up Asia's second-largest cocoon warehouse in Ramanagara. Benefitting over 30,000 sericulture farmers and serving over 6,000 reelers, the warehouse will optimize silk value chain and increase production.

Mayank Tiwari, CEO and Founder, Reshamandi says, the warehouse will provide several prospects and opportunities to the whole supply chain ecosystem. It will help the company implement a comprehensive set of actions onsite for the farmers’ ease and monetary gain. Reshamandi currently sources fabrics, saris, and accessories directly from 5,500 weavers and 6,000 plus reelers.

The exemption of import duty on cotton till September 30 will boost textile exports to $60 billion in the current fiscal year, says Home Textile Exporters Welfare Association (HEWA). Exemption will not only benefit the entire textile value chain but also ease demand pressure and stabilize cotton prices, says HEWA in a KNN India report. Another benefit of the exemption includes end of volatile situation persisting since the last six months, which would help the textile exporters achieve splendid growth in FY23, adds the association.

HEWA says, the government needs to stop the uncontrolled exports of raw materials to nations such as China and Bangladesh as they are disrupting the current supply-demand cycle. Rise in cotton prices since October 2021 impacted textile exports in 2022, it adds.

Sivaramkrishanan Ganapathi, Managing Director, Gokaldas Exports says, the newly approved production linked incentive (PLI) scheme will benefit his company from FY24 onwards. India’s leading garment manufacturer and exporter based out of Bengaluru, Gokuldas Exports has a turnover of over Rs 1,000 crore with a diverse workforce of over 20,000 employees at 23 factories located in the states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamilnadu.

Ganapathi believes, the scheme will boost MMF investments in India. It will not bring in any benefits for the company in FY23 as it already has a strong order book and expects strong growth during the year. The Indian government approved 61 companies for the textile production linked incentive (PLI) scheme with investments worth Rs 19,000 crore and an expected turnover of Rs 1.84 lakh crore in 5 years. It hopes to accelerate India’s textile exports to $100 billion and create 2.4 lakh new jobs during the period.

In a recent meeting with Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Foreign Secretary, India, Faruque Hassan, President, BGMEA requested expedition of trade activities between the two countries by removing non-trade barriers and simplifying export-import procedures through the land ports. Hassan said, both India and Bangladesh can complement each other, particularly in textile and apparel growth. India can export man-made fibres, yarn, fabric, chemicals, machinery, dyes etc to Bangladesh. On other hand, it can export readymade garments from Bangladesh.

One of the largest trade associations in the country, BGMEA promotes and facilitates the apparel industry through policy advocacy to the government, services to members, ensuring workers’ rights and social compliance at factories. The association collaborates with local and international stakeholders, including brands and development partners to pave the way for development of Bangladesh apparel industry.

Domestic weekend-wear brand Harbour 9 has launched a wide range of women's apparels. The range will help the brand tap India’s women’s wear market and penetrate deeper into the segment. The brand manufactures clothes completely in India, from sourcing materials to the final product through their eco-friendly practices.

The newly launched women’s range will be available on the brand’s website and other e-commerce platforms. A premium weekend-wear brand, Harbour 9 strives to find the perfect balance between dressed up and dressed down. Its curated collection is designed to transport customers to a world of fun and ultimate relaxation.

An ethically compliant brand, Harbour 9 aims to reduce the negative impact on people, animals, and the planet. The brand follows all labor laws ensuring good working conditions, fair wages, suitable working environment, and job security for all employees.

With domestic demand increasing, Bangladesh cotton imports from the US may increase 43 per cent Y-o-Y to one million bales in 2022-23, says US Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA). Bangladesh’s overall cotton imports may increase by 2.3 per cent Y-o-Y to 8.9 million bales. Imports from India may grow to 29 per cent share in 2021. This will be followed by Brazil, Benin, and US.

Producer of minimum quantity of cotton, Bangladesh imports all its cotton needs from abroad. Cotton consumption is expected to rise 3.3 per cent Y-o-Y to 9.3 million bales of 480 lbs each. In CY 2021, Bangladesh's ready-made garment exports reached a record high of $35.8 billion, becoming second-largest exporter after China.

The upcoming editions of business-to-customer fashion and lifestyle shopping fair Adaah will be held in Gurugram and New Delhi this May. The fairs will feature all apparel, accessories, and jewelry brands from across the region. The Gurugram edition of Adaah will be held from May 5 to 6 at Courtyard by Marriott. The shopping fair will feature a mix of traditional, ethnic, fusion, and western wear. It will also showcase handbags, footwear, home décor, gift items, and handicrafts. It will give brands a platform to launch their summer collections and reach new bridge-to-luxury shoppers.

The New Delhi edition will be held from May 14 to 15, Adaah at WelcomHotel Dwarka. The fair will feature a similar brand selection to its Gurugram edition with a wide array of summer fashions. Adaah held two shopping fairs in Gurugram and Noida this April. The Gurugram event was held at the Apparel House from April 2 to 4 while the Noida event was held at Radisson Blu from April 8 to 9. The shopping fairs focused on spring fashion and bridal wear for the spring wedding season.

With sales and exports growing at a sustained pace, the EU clothing industry witnessed significant improvement in Q4 FY21performance. Most clothing companies in the region reached their pre-pandemic levels of growth during the quarter, says latest Euratex report. Clothing production surged 10 per cent during the quarter over Q4 FY20 while turnover increased 21.4 per cent. Retail sales during the quarter also rose 17.9 per cent

Pandemic-induced challenges slows textile growth

However, the textile industry expanded at a much slower pace. Though it recovered from the strong contraction in 2020, the industry failed to reach pre-pandemic levels. Textile production during the quarter increased 2.4 per cent from the Q4 FY20 while turnover increased 6.4 per cent. Retail sales in textile industry grew 17.9 per cent during the quarter. The pandemic slowed shipments besides disrupting global supply chains. This caused acute raw material shortages, affecting consumption patterns across the world. The textile and clothing industry also remained troubled by the constant rise in raw materials and energy prices.

The EU Business Confidence Indicator indicates 1.7 points decline in textile industry over the next few months. The decline is mainly attributed to energy-related challenges currently being faced by the industry. The clothing industry seems more optimistic with a 2.1 points rise in business confidence in the next few months.

Consumers’ confidence falters over future uncertainties

Managers’ confidence in both textiles and clothing remains higher than the long-term average and pre-COVID level in Q4 2019. However, consumer confidence has dropped, following the collapse in their expectations about the general economic situation and assessment of own future financial situation. Confidence of retailers has also dropped they failed to assess expected business situation. Their selling expectations for the next three months have reached unprecedented highs as energy and raw material prices have surged sharply in the last few months.