Led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Indian federal government is stepping up to help cotton farmers in Telangana, a major cotton-producing state, by buying large quantities of their crops at the Minimum Support Price (MSP). This move comes as market prices for cotton have been dropping, putting farmers at risk.

G Kishan Reddy, Federal Minister and President – Telangana, BJP says, the government’s actions are benefiting over 900,000 cotton farmers in the state.

He highlights, a government agency, Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) has set up 110 buying centers across Telangana. So far in the 2024-25 growing season, they've purchased over 21 million quintals of cotton, which adds up to roughly 155.56 billion rupees.

Telangana is the third-largest cotton-producing state in India, and the government has significantly increased its support to farmers there in recent years. Since 2014-15, the Modi government has bought cotton worth over more than Rs 580 billion, providing much-needed financial assistance to farmers. Additionally, the MSP for cotton has more than doubled, going from Rs 3,750 per quintal in 2014-15 to Rs 7,121 in 2024-25.

The government's support goes beyond simply buying cotton. They're also providing farmers with resources like soil testing, high-quality seeds, fertilizers, farm loans, insurance, irrigation, and warehouses. And they're making sure farmers get a fair price for their crops. The CCI steps in to buy cotton whenever market prices fall below the MSP, providing a safety net for farmers.

The Modi government has set MSPs for 22 different crops, including cotton, ensuring that farmers receive at least 50 per cent more than their production costs. The current cotton procurement drive in Telangana reinforces the government’s dedication to protecting farmers' incomes and providing them with financial stability.

The Cellulose Fibres Conference 2025, held on 12–13 March in Cologne, Germany, drew leading industry experts, researchers, and innovators to explore sustainable fibre solutions across textiles, hygiene, and packaging. The event reinforced its position as the premier global platform for the cellulose fibre sector, offering two days of high-quality presentations and robust discussions on advancing eco-friendly technologies.

Cellulose fibres such as viscose, lyocell, and modal, traditionally made from wood-based pulp, are now being complemented by innovations using agricultural waste, recycled textiles, and paper-grade pulp. This shift toward alternative raw materials reflects the industry's growing focus on sustainability and circular economy practices.

This year, biosynthetics were introduced for the first time, gaining significant attention. Experts explored challenges in scale-up, biodegradability, and performance compared to fossil-based synthetics. Sessions covered fibre-to-fibre recycling, marine biodegradability, microplastic reduction, and cutting-edge technologies for pulp and fibre development.

Rahul Bansal of Birla Cellulose highlighted the event’s importance for global collaboration, noting rising investments in cellulose-based product development. Andreas Engelhardt of The Fiber Year reported an annual global capacity expansion of 200,000 tonnes, while Marina Crnoja-Cosic of Textile ETP projected 17 per cent annual growth from 2024 to 2029, driven mainly by Lyocell. Simone Seisl added that Lyocell is replacing declining cotton production due to climate change.

To support future development, CIRFS proposed a unified cellulose fibre standard, including types like viscose, modal, lyocell, and emerging fibres. The proposal received strong backing, including from Ikea, which expressed interest in scaling up cellulose fibre usage.

A key highlight was the ‘Cellulose Fibre Innovation of the Year 2025’ award. SA-Dynamics (Germany) won for biodegradable cellulose aerogel insulation textiles. Releaf Paper France earned recognition for converting urban leaf waste into fibres, and Uluu (Australia) impressed with seaweed-derived PHA polymers as plastic alternatives in textiles.

Sponsors like GIG Karasek, Birla Purocel, List Technology AG, Valmet, and Dienes played vital roles in the conference’s success. Social media engagement extended the event’s reach, while on-site networking tools fostered collaboration. A traditional German bowling night added a social touch to the proceedings.

With growing momentum, CFC 2025 reaffirmed the industry's commitment to advancing sustainable, bio-based textile solutions.

The US textile industry, a significant contributor to the national economy, faces a complex mix of challenges. The industry employs 471,000 workers and generates $64 billion in annual output. It is a key supplier to the US military, providing over 8,000 products, and is a source of high-tech innovation for sectors ranging from healthcare to aerospace.  

However, the industry has been facing numerous challenges, including economic downturns, unfair trade practices like forced labor, ill-conceived trade policies, inadequate customs enforcement, post-pandemic inventory issues, and freight and logistics challenges. These factors have hindered growth and investment, leading to a downturn in business over the past three years.   Despite these challenges, the textile industry has shown resilience. In 2024, the value of US man-made fiber, textile, and apparel shipments was estimated at $63.9 billion.

Table: Value of US textile shipments

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

The US has a strong position in the global textile market. Export of fibers, textiles, and apparel were $28 billion in 2024. It is the second-largest individual country exporter of textile-related products in the world

Table: Export by category and region (value in billion)

Source: U.S. Department of Commerce

The top export markets for US fibers including cotton fibers are Mexico at $36 billion followed by China at 1.9 billion. Canada, Honduras and Pakistan are the other three in the top five list.

Challenges and the way out

To address the various challenges the sector is facing, the National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) and industry leaders have launched an aggressive lobbying campaign, advocating for policies to support the industry. 

On major policy they are looking for is customs enforcement. The industry is pushing for robust enforcement of free trade agreement rules, closing the de minimis loophole, and fully enforcing the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) to combat import fraud and circumvention of trade laws. In fact, NCTO is leading a coalition to close the de minimis loophole, which allows low-value shipments to enter the country duty-free, creating an unfair advantage for foreign competitors.   

NCTO is also actively involved in advocating the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill, expansion of the Berry Amendment (which requires the Department of Defense to purchase 100 per cent US-made textiles and clothing), full enforcement of the Make PPE in America Act, and increased tariffs on finished textile and apparel imports from China.   

Looking ahead, the US textile industry anticipates the challenges to continue but remains optimistic about its future.  The industry is focused on working with policymakers to enact supportive measures, strengthening partnerships with Western Hemisphere trading partners, and combating illegal trade practices.   

From the point of view of global apparel import trends, the recent rise in Bangladesh's Ready-Made Garment (RMG) exports reveals a compelling picture. The first half of fiscal year 2024-25 shows a significant rise across major markets, highlighting shifts in sourcing strategies and evolving consumer demands.

The EU, a cornerstone of Bangladeshi RMG exports

The European Union's continued dominance as Bangladesh's primary market is undeniable. Accounting for roughly 50 per cent of the total RMG exports, the EU's imports reached $9.87 billion, a 15.22 per cent increase year-over-year.

Table: Bangladesh RMG exports to EU markets (July-Dec 2024-25)

Diversification and growth: While Germany remains the top importer, the substantial growth in countries like Poland (28 per cent) indicates a diversification of import destinations within the EU. This could reflect changing consumer preferences or strategic sourcing decisions by retailers.

Varying growth rates: The disparity in growth rates, from Poland's high to Spain's modest increase, suggests that market-specific factors are at play. These could include economic conditions, retail trends, and competitive pressures.

The US a strategic shift

The US which accounts for 19-20 per cent of Bangladesh's total RMG exports, has emerged as a crucial growth market. The 17.55 per cent increase in imports ($3.84 billion) is significant, particularly in light of geopolitical trade tensions.

The imposition of tariffs on Chinese goods by the US has created a window of opportunity for alternative sourcing destinations like Bangladesh. Therefore, US buyers are actively seeking to diversify their supply chains to mitigate risks associated with reliance on a single source. This shift is not merely about cost; it also reflects concerns about supply chain resilience and ethical sourcing.

Expanding horizons

Bangladesh's success is not limited to traditional markets. The 6.70 per cent growth in exports to the UK ($2.16 billion) and the 14 per cent increase in exports to Canada ($640 million) are noteworthy. Furthermore, the strong performance in emerging markets, with a total of $3.37 billion, demonstrates Bangladesh's growing competitiveness.

Table: Bangladesh RMG exports to emerging markets (July-Dec 2024-25)

 India's rise: The 18 per cent growth in exports to India is particularly significant, reflecting the growing demand for affordable apparel in the expanding Indian market.

Turkey's remarkable growth: The 43 per cent growth in exports to Turkey highlights the potential of this market.

Diversification: The expanding footprint in markets like Australia, Japan, and Korea showcases Bangladesh's ability to cater to diverse consumer preferences.

Despite the positive trends, challenges remain. As noted by the BKMEA president, buyers are demanding lower prices despite rising production costs. This could squeeze profit margins for Bangladeshi manufacturers. Infrastructure and supply chain bottlenecks are another bane. Gas and electricity shortages, as well as reliance on imported yarn, pose significant challenges to the industry. Banking activities and law and order situations also need to be addressed to sustain export growth.