Turkish textile and raw materials exports to Morocco increased 30 per cent between January 2022 and August 2022. This is in spite of the fact that Morocco has imposed tariffs on Turkish imports. Turkish textile products, alongside Chinese brands, have flooded the Moroccan fashion sector. The Moroccan textile industry is gradually losing ground to them, particularly in the urban hubs. Morocco had the highest increase in the quantity of imported textiles and raw materials among Turkey’s top export destinations. The others are Italy, Germany, the US, Spain, and France.

The lack of funding as well as limited growth prospects for small and medium-sized Moroccan businesses in the sector represent additional challenges to the development of the local textile industry. Morocco fears for the sustainability of local shops in the light of the Turkish discount store Bim which has rapidly expanded in Morocco over the past few years.

There is a feeling in Morocco that the Morocco-Turkey Free Trade Agreement signed in 2004 has brought more economic benefits to Turkey. So there is a discussion in Morocco of the impact of the free flow of competitive Turkish products to the domestic market.

The Turkish textile and raw materials sector marked seven per cent year-on-year growth by the end of August 2022.

India’s cotton production for 2022 to 2023 will be 15 per cent higher than it was the previous year.

Among the helpful factors are an eight per cent rise in sowing area, favorable weather and good crop conditions. Uncertainty regarding the weather conditions for the cotton crop reduced towards the end of September.

In the first fortnight of the current month, there were concerns about the crop due to forecasts of heavy rains in Maharashtra and Gujarat. Some parts of Maharashtra and Gujarat received sporadic rains in the last week of September but there was no excessive rainfall which could have threatened the crop. North India also witnessed rainfall when the crop was ready for picking. But except for a minor impact in small parts of Haryana, north India faced no major losses. Last year, north India’s cotton crop was severely damaged from diseases like pink ball worm caused by the late monsoon rains. Crop yield reduced in Gujarat and Maharashtra too.

This year, no threats have been predicted for the crop so far. Arrivals in north India comprising Punjab, Haryana, upper Rajasthan and lower Rajasthan are increasing continuously.New cotton prices have witnessed a steep fall in north India despite the late arrivals and a prolonged scarcity before the new crop.

Cotton exports from the US witnessed a steep fall in July 2022 from June 2022.

The new cotton marketing season begins in the country from August and exports had reduced drastically in the last month of the previous year 2021-22. However, the country had exported a large volume of cotton during the earlier months.The country had exported large quantities of cotton till June 2022 due to a scarcity of the natural fiber and skyrocketing prices.Therefore cotton exports dried up in the last month of the previous season.

US cotton exports amounted to $1,162.222 million in May 2022, $1,104.972 million in April 2022, $1,112.802 million in March 2022 and $919.778 million in February 2022.On a quarterly basis, cotton shipment from the US rose to $3.328 billion in the second quarter of this year from $2.820 billion in the first quarter. Exports declined to $1.002 billion in the fourth quarter of last year from $1.254 billion in the third quarter of 2021. Cotton exports amounted to $1.972 billion in the second quarter of last year.

The world’s largest economy earns $6-7 billion on an annual basis from cotton exports. The country had fetched $5.156 billion in 2021, $6.321 billion in 2020, $6.608 billion in 2019 and $7.088 billion in 2018 from cotton shipments.

Adored by millennials, skinny jeans have been trending and holding their pride of place for the longest time. However, rumbles of its popularity on the decline, whilst exaggerated, does hold some truth.

The retail platform Edited recently presented a report that states a sharp fall in men’s skinny jeans where slim-fitted jeans hold on to the number one position. Whilst the demand for skinny jeans hasn’t experienced such a sharp drop in the women’s category, the straight fit has now achieved the number one status although the ladies are still buying full price black, mid-washed and ripped skinnies.

The figures indicate a definite decline – 29% in women’s skinny jeans and a whopping 52% in men’s. In the first half of 2022, blue skinny jeans were the best-sellers with 63% in men’s and 61% women’s, whilst grey was the second most popular colour for men at 11% and black for women at 21%. The report also indicated the different washes preferred by the two genders – men opted for a light wash whereas women chose the mid-wash.

So what’s going on with skinnies? Gen Z flare up

The Zoomers decided that silhouettes needed to change as the craved their own fashion identity. Hence wide-legs and flares are making a comeback. Fashion pundits are saying that skinnies are no longer considered a trend but a staple, joining the ranks of the straight-leg. High street brands have made great slashes to their skinny jeans collections. In the men’s category, these tight trousers held a 48% stake in 2021 but this year, dropped by 27%. Whilst some brands are exploring no-frills skinny jeans as great for travel wear, aviation experts are warning against.

Global denim market

Skinny or not, the global denim market stood at USD 19461.38 million in 2021, and indications are that by 2028, will reach USD 26147.31 with a CAGR of 4.31% during the forecast period. Retail experts attribute this growth based on consumer segmentation of style-types as well as demographic, mass and premium labels, and channels of distribution as e-commerce is gaining steady grounds and becoming a leveler for most mass brands.

Denim’s environmental stamp is a concern

Denim’s environmental footprint is a concern area. As all denims are manufactured from cotton fibres or blends with a high percentage of cotton, this fabric is a large consumer of water as well as chemicals. Many innovative attempts are underway to substitute cotton with fibres that are greener in their production. Hemp is being hailed as a popular alternative and Germany and the Netherlands are leading the way on hemp textiles and are recommending the use of rotor spinning instead of twilling. However, hemp can only go main stream as the cotton substitute of choice if it can also exhibit the toughness and durability of cotton as its key characteristic.

As the denim retail comes out of a pandemic-related setback compounded by the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian conflict and the economic upheavals in the western world, it does show the resilience associated with the core fabric – here to stay and grow as denim jeans keep reinventing through styles, washes and innovative blends.

Indian polyester staple fiber producers can expect better supply of raw materials as imports of PET flake chipshave been eased.

Concerns were raised about the tight supply of used PET bottles and its downstream products. The PET flake chip can be imported under authorisation from the Director General of Foreign Trade and subject to a NOC from the ministry of environment. A unit will be eligible for import only if it has used domestic waste to the extent of at least 70 per cent of the capacity in the previous year. The unit can import up to 20 per cent of its production in 2021 to 2022. Thereafter it will be able to import only 15 per cent of the actual capacity utilised in the preceding year. An additional import of up to ten per cent may be considered against exports of the products. But units would be eligible for imports after at least one year of production.

Earlier imports of PET bottle waste/scrap/PET flake made from used PET bottles were totally restricted with a view to controlling dumping of scrap.Earlier, India generated thousands of tons of used PET bottles for reuse. The technological developments increased its consumption and today the supply has become tighter for the polyester value chain.

Bangladesh’s readymade garment exports fell by 12 per cent in September 2022 compared to September 2021.And apparel exports in September 2022 decreased by nearly 20 per cent from August 2022. This is because of sluggish demand for apparel products on the global market.

Poor growth in readymade garment exports is expected to continue for the next few months due to the global economic instability. Overcoming the Covid pandemic shock, Bangladesh’s readymade garment sector had started growing with an increased demand on the global market, but the Russia-Ukraine war created a new challenge. Global buyers have decreased their orders by nearly 30 per cent as consumption of apparel has decreased in Europe and the United States due to high inflation.

Bangladesh’s apparel exports from July to August increased by 26 per cent compared to the same period of the earlier fiscal. Exports earnings from apparel in August 2022 grew by 36 per cent compared to the same month of 2021. Apparel export earnings in the first quarter of fiscal year 2023 grew by 12per cent compared to the same period of fiscal year 2022.

Bangladesh aims at hiking apparel exports to South Korea with diversified items such as underwear, denims, shirts, jackets and pullovers.

China’s textile industry saw a decline of 14 per cent in its profits during the first eight months of 2022.Earnings of the equipment manufacturing industry of the country also dipped by two per cent during the period, which is three percentage points narrower than that for the January 2022 to July 2022 period.

Industrial firms making a minimum of 20 million yuan on an annual basis reaped combined profits of up to 5.53 trillion yuan from January 2022 to August 2022, which was a decrease of two per cent year on year.

In order to soften the blow of various economic challenges, China has introduced a set of efficient policies to enable economic recovery and re-establish growth. The country had earlier introduced a number of policies such as deferment of payment of government-levied charges, assistance for private businesses and the platform economy, and risk compensation funds for loans to small firms and self-employed people.The country has introduced fee cuts and tax refunds to ease the pressure on businesses. Its policy package is estimated to save about 2.5 trillion yuan for taxpayers in 2022.

Trousers and shorts are China’s top apparel export products. From January 2022 to June 2022 they accounted for 20 per cent of China’s apparel exports.

Egypt will develop a special free zone under the name of Volo Textile Company.

Being an Egyptian joint participant, the firm will operate a textile manufacturing factory for dyeing, finishing, and printing. The project will be built on a gross area of 69,215 square meters and will provide more than 1010 job opportunities for both Egyptians and foreign nationals. The factory is expected to produce 8,400 tons of textile in the first year of inception, with a plan to reach 10,800 tons in the second year.The industrial development will achieve a local component of around 35 per cent and a target export rate of 100 per cent, which will contribute to boosting

Egypt’s exports and reinforcing the performance of foreign trade indicators. Also, a new project will be established for feed manufacturing, chemicals, and plant nutrients. The project is the first industrial complex for feed manufacturing in the Middle East and Africa. The project will be constructed under the company name CFC Feed and Chemicals and will span 3,68,118 square meters. The project will likely create job opportunities for about 2,500 Egyptian workers. The industrial project will use the latest German technology standards and bolster the local feed industry, which is one of the most important strategic sectors in the Arab Republic.

The pandemic was not a happy period for the clothing industry in general with the exception of activewear. The fact that it is projected to becoming USD 276.61 billion in the next six years is the proof of its popularity and staying power. UK-based research agency Technavio presented a report titled Activewear Apparel Market by Distribution Channel and Geography - Forecast Analysis 2022-2026 – it stated that the growth momentum is anticipated to accelerate at a CAGR of 11.24% during the forecast period. The report attributed this growth due to innovative use of fabrics and styles as well as creating an activewear line that is premium and on trend.

Did the pandemic create this genre?

Active lifestyles are influencing the market positively thanks to the increase in people turning towards them. One among the key factors contributing to the growth of the active wear market is the unique benefits offered by active wear, like quick-drying, thermal resistance, breathability, chemical resistance, and static resistance. However, the rise in the number of fake and counterfeit products adversely impacts the growth of the global active wear market.

As a results of volatile raw material costs and high designing costs, the active wear market is probably going to face challenges related to a declining number of price-sensitive consumers in the forecast period of 2022-2032. By providing suitable fitting and proper support, activewear can prevent muscle sprains and other ligament and muscle injuries. This has led to the rapid climb of the global active wear market. These activewear products offer many advantages, including quick-drying properties. Sedentary lifestyles have made consumers more aware of their health, which further boosts the active wear market ahead. Women and men are adopting activewear outside the gym to wear as casual clothing because it gives the wearer a dry and comfortable feel. Cotton-based activewear is particularly popular in the summer because it keeps the wearer dry and also prevents irritation of the skin. It should be noted that Cristiano Ronaldo and Serena Williams are athletes who are social influencers beyond football and tennis as they have a huge following for their healthy and active lifestyles and have played significant roles in making activewear so popular.

Fashionably fun?

The single-most important driver to this segment’s growth is that sports and lifestyle brands are making activewear serious fashion statements. Nike, Reebok, Puma, Lululemon, Fila, New Balance and Gymshark are perfect examples of how reputable sports and activity-based brands have made activewear fun and fashionable. These brands are driving the sustainability factor as well with sustainable, durable and premium-quality fabrics that are innovatively designed to fill the fashion gap that previously sportswear couldn’t. Another winning element for activewear is that it has been able to ride on the wave of diversity and inclusivity by offering gender-neutral fashion and is able to cater to all body types.

Luxury brands have realised its potential and be it Gucci or Stella McCartney, they are all busy creating exclusive activewear lines.

Retail outlets and e-commerce are level pegging

When it comes to accessibility of activewear, both platforms are doing well. Retail stores are gaining popularity as more activewear and sportswear brands are launching more brick-and-mortar shopping experiences that visualize their brand stories in person. Additionally, fittings and on-time deliveries or lack of it is driving the popularity of in-shop purchases as people return to post-pandemic normalcy. The popularity of e-commerce that exploded during the pandemic, remains another popular channel for purchase.

China’s exports of single yarn increased by 46 per cent in August 2022. Exports of ply yarn and cable yarn were down six per cent in the same period. And exports of synthetic staple fiber sewing thread were down 11 per cent.

From January 2022 to August 2022, total exports of polyester yarn increased by 22 per cent over the same period last year. The export volume in August was lower than the average level for the first time since May. Orders have been significantly reduced since August, and are expected to further decrease in September.

Two major export markets for China’s polyester yarn are Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Yet, currently, these two markets are facing their own problems. Since July, textile and apparel orders in Southeast Asia have decreased significantly, thus the demand for polyester yarn has reduced accordingly. Insufficient US dollars was the main reason for the reduced export orders to the Middle East, which was mostly caused by the depreciation of its local currency and the rapid consumption of foreign exchange.

Meanwhile, as China’s exports were settled in US dollars, these countries faced great pressure despite the devaluation of the renminbi, thus orders have also decreased.