FW
Mali aims to increase its cotton production to 682,000 metric tons during the 2025-26 season, states Daniel Simeon Kelema, Agriculture Minister. Achieving this goal would depend on favorable weather conditions and the continuation of government subsidies for farmers, he adds.
In 2024-25, Mali’s cotton output declined by 4.8 per cent as heavy rainfall, widespread flooding, and crop damage significantly impacted production, avers Kelema.
During the season Mali produced 656,679 metric tons of raw cotton as against 690,000 metric tons produced in the previous year. The ministry had projected a much higher yield of 765,000 metric tons at the start of the season last May.
In March 2025, textile and apparel (T&A) imports by the US declined by 4.8 per cent from February 2025 to 7.80 billion square meter equivalents (SME). However, from March 2024, T&A imports increased by 2.2 per cent.
Latest data from OTEXA shows, textile imports by the US declined by 5.6 per cent to 6.22 billion SME in March 2025 but increased by 0.4 per cent Y-o-Y. Apparel imports declined by 2.4 per cent from February 2025 to 2.02 billion SME but rose by 7.8 per cent compared to the same period last year.
US’ total T&A imports increased by 12.8 per cent Y-o-Y to 24.6 billion SME in March 2025. This includes a 14.2 per cent rise in textile imports to 18.1 billion SME, and a 9.2 per cent increase in apparel imports to 6.4 billion SME.
For the 12 months ending in March 2025, total imports increased by 15.6 per cent over the previous year. Textile imports rose by 18.3 per cent to 83.1 billion SME, while apparel imports grew 7.8 per cent to 26.3 billion SME.
The Andhra Pradesh Government aims to strengthen the local textile industry in Kurnool by building a Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Park at Banavasi in Yemmiganur mandal.
A key step in the region’s industrial development, the project involves development of core infrastructure across 22 acre, expected to be completed within three months.
The remaining 50 acre will be reserved for setting up textile-focused units and an effluent treatment system, notes S Savitha, Minister for BC Welfare, Handlooms, and Textiles. The government provides 200 units of free electricity to handloom weavers and 500 units to powerloom operators, she informs. The state is also developing handlooms clusters besides organizing exhibitions with an investment of Rs 348 crore, she adds.
TG Bharat, Industries and Commerce Minister, says, the government aims to promote the use of Yemmiganur-made textiles within the industries department. It also plans to approach the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams to encourage adoption of locally woven shawls. The park is expected to attract textile entrepreneurs and provide employment while promoting traditional weaving in the region.
A prominent player in India’s textile industry and a subsidiary of Reliance Industries, Alok Industries has entered into a strategic partnership with Rieter India for the supply and installation of a comprehensive compact spinning system. This agreement highlights Alok’s commitment to modernizing its manufacturing capabilities with advanced technology and reinforcing its position as a global supplier of premium yarn and textile products.
The state-of-the-art spinning system includes high-performance fiber and spinning preparation equipment, fully automated lap transport systems, combing sets, G 38 fully electronic ring spinning machines with integrated compacting technology, and Rieter’s flagship X6 winding machine. This end-to-end solution will empower Alok to produce high-quality combed compact yarn with improved consistency, productivity, and overall operational efficiency.
Harsh Bapna, CEO, Alok Industries, says, this investment is a significant move toward achieving global standards in quality and operational excellence. The Rieter system introduces a new level of automation and precision to the company’s spinning operations, allowing its teams to consistently deliver high-performance yarn to the international market.
Biji Chacko, Group Chief Operating Officer, adds, this partnership with Rieter India underscores the group’s focus on innovation and excellence. More than a technological upgrade, the modernization of Unit 4 is a strategic advancement aimed at creating smarter, cleaner, and more globally competitive operations. It boosts the group’s ability to supply consistent, top-tier yarn to customers worldwide.
Aligned with goals of digitalization and sustainability, the new machinery supports Industry 4.0 practices by enabling smart operations through advanced digital monitoring, lower energy consumption, and superior process control.
Japan’s Shima Seiki Mfg, Ltd and Italy’s Lonati S p A have joined forces to accelerate digitalization and sustainability in the sock manufacturing sector. The strategic collaboration focuses on combining Shima Seiki’s APEXFiz design software and Lonati’s Orion programming software to modernize how sock designs are developed and brought to market.
Traditionally, sock production has relied heavily on physical samples for design approval and prototyping a process that consumes time, materials, and labor. The partnership aims to disrupt this model by enabling “3D Virtual Sampling,” allowing companies to visualize, verify, and adjust sock designs digitally before production begins. This eliminates the need for physical prototypes, thereby reducing costs, cutting lead times, and lowering environmental impact.
Shima Seiki’s APEXFiz, already widely used in the industry, allows designers to create and review sock designs in real time. The upcoming APEXFiz Design-Sox will offer even more specialized capabilities tailored for sock design. Meanwhile, Lonati’s Orion software, part of its Unlimitex suite, enables users to evaluate technical design data in 3D, helping identify and correct issues before production.
Both APEXFiz Design-Sox and Orion are slated for launch in June 2025. The integration of these tools will streamline the entire workflow from digital design to manufacturing enhancing efficiency, product quality, and speed to market.
By merging design creativity with technical precision, Shima Seiki and Lonati’s alliance sets a new standard for innovation in the sock industry, offering a competitive edge through sustainable and intelligent production practices.
Inditex, the parent company of fast-fashion giant Zara, remains "optimistic" about its growth prospects in the United States, even amidst rising tariffs and concerns about consumer demand, according to CEO Oscar Garcia Maceiras. This confidence comes as the company navigates a complex economic landscape and adjusts its pricing strategy in the US market.
At an annual press conference following the release of first-quarter sales figures, Garcia Maceiras emphasized Inditex's commitment to the US, stating, "By properly executing our business model, we will continue to have a very positive evolution in the US market." The US is Inditex's second-largest market after Spain, though the Americas region as a whole accounted for 18.6 per cent of global sales in 2024, a relatively smaller share compared to Spain's 15.1 per cent and the rest of Europe’s 50.6 per cent.
Inditex’s resilience despite tariff threats
Despite US President Donald Trump's tariff threats on imported goods, which sparked retaliatory measures from other countries due to concerns about global trade, Inditex maintains its resilience. Garcia Maceiras highlighted the company's diversified sourcing strategy, with products originating from 50 countries, enabling it to adapt to evolving tariff structures.
Table: Inditex sales by region (2024)
|
Region |
Share of global sales |
|
Spain |
15.10% |
|
Rest of Europe |
50.60% |
|
Americas |
18.60% |
"We are well positioned to adapt to new tariffs," Garcia Maceiras stated. While expressing optimism, Inditex also acknowledged the need to address the potential impact of tariffs on inflation. In response, Garcia Maceiras indicated that the company plans to maintain "stable prices." However, data from market research firm EDITED reveals that Zara has, in fact, increased prices in the US over the past year.
Table: Average price increases for select Zara items in the US market
|
Item Category |
March 1, Current Year Average Price (USD) |
12-Month Price Increase (%) |
|
Dress |
$86.44 |
22% |
|
Top |
$63.60 |
8% |
This data suggests that while Inditex aims for price stability, adjustments are being made to reflect market conditions. The company's strategy appears to balance the need to remain competitive with the pressures of increased tariffs and fluctuating economic conditions.
Inditex's confidence in the US market is further underscored by its ongoing expansion efforts, including the opening of a new Massimo Dutti store in Miami in November. Currently, Zara operates 97 stores in the US. Garcia Maceiras also acknowledged the challenges posed by the constantly changing geopolitical landscape, stating that the uncertainty makes long-term predictions difficult. This sentiment echoes concerns shared by other business leaders grappling with the impact of evolving US trade and foreign policies.
Stake of other fashion brands in US market
Shein, which currently dominates the US fast fashion market with an estimated 50 per cent market share, faces a unique set of challenges. Its business model relies heavily on rapid production and efficient supply chains, often sourcing from regions that could be heavily impacted by tariffs. Shein, known for its extremely low prices, will likely face significant pressure to maintain its competitive edge. The company's strategy may involve further optimizing its supply chain, diversifying its sourcing, or potentially absorbing some of the increased costs. It is likely that Shein will attempt to keep prices as low as possible, as their customer base is extremely price sensitive, and any significant price increases could cause a loss of market share.
Table: US fast fashion market share
|
Fast fashion brand |
US market share |
|
Shein |
50% |
|
H&M |
16% |
|
Zara |
13% |
|
Fashion Nova |
11% |
H&M, with an estimated 16 per cent share of the US fast fashion market, also relies on a complex global supply chain. The company has been increasingly focused on sustainability and ethical sourcing, which could provide a degree of resilience in the face of tariff-related disruptions. H&M's strategy may involve further investments in supply chain efficiency, as well as exploring alternative sourcing options. H&M has generally taken a stance of attempting to absorb cost increases where possible, to not pass them to the end consumer, however, that may change depending on the magnitude of the tariffs.
Fashion Nova, holding approximately 11 per cent of the US market, is known for its trend-driven, affordable clothing. The company's agility and ability to quickly adapt to changing consumer preferences could be an advantage in navigating tariff-related challenges. Fashion Nova, like Shein, caters to a price-conscious demographic, so significant price increases are unlikely to be well received. Therefore, they will likely seek to find alternative sourcing to mitigate costs.
All four of these major retailers will be monitoring the tariff situation closely, and it is likely that they will all be adapting their supply chains to deal with the changes. The companies are all likely to attempt to find ways to absorb costs, to avoid raising prices for the end consumer. However, if the tariffs are significant, then price increases may be unavoidable
India is set to double its market share in the UK’s ready-made garment (RMG) imports from 6 per cent in calendar year 2024 (CY24) to 12 per cent, according to CareEdge Ratings. This shift, backed by the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), could unlock an annual export opportunity of around $1.1-1.2 billion for Indian RMG exporters in the near to medium term.
The UK, one of the top five global RMG markets, imported garments worth around $20 billion in CY24. India currently holds a modest 6 per cent share, while key competitors like Bangladesh, Turkey, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Italy enjoy duty-free access, giving them a 12 per cent tariff edge. The India-UK FTA levels this playing field and gives Indian exporters a new competitive advantage particularly over China, which exported $5 billion of RMG to the UK in CY24 but is now seeing a decline in market share.
Akshay Morbiya, Assistant Director at CareEdge Ratings, highlighted that duty removal, recovery in UK demand, and favourable policies will drive India’s export gains. However, India’s dependence on cotton textiles, in contrast to the global tilt toward man-made fibres, may slightly limit its overall growth.
Bangladesh, with around $4 billion in RMG exports to the UK, faces socio-political uncertainties, prompting global brands to diversify sourcing, including from India. This, combined with rising costs in China and the ‘China Plus One’ strategy, positions India as a strong alternative.
Krunal Modi, Director at CareEdge Ratings, said the FTA could also boost investments across the textile chain and enhance employment, particularly for women. India’s RMG exports grew 10 per cent to $16 billion in FY25, and there is potential for another 10-15 per cent growth, backed by sufficient sector capacity.
The global RMG industry stood at $525 billion in CY24, with major importers including the EU, USA, UK, Japan, Canada, and South Korea.
The Good Fashion Fund (GFF), managed by Fount and supported technically by Wazir Advisors, has invested $1.75 million in Sharadha Terry Products Private Limited (STPPL), a leading Indian home textile manufacturer known for its MicroCotton brand. The funding will support STPPL’s new sustainable bath and area rugs manufacturing unit, Sri Gugan Mills, in Metupalayam, Tamil Nadu.
The upcoming facility will feature advanced tufting technology and aims to produce 4 million square meters of rugs annually using dope dyed polyester and cotton, with other recycled fibres under development. The unit is designed with a strong sustainability focus, minimizing water usage and eliminating hazardous dyeing chemicals. It includes an in-house effluent treatment plant expected to recover up to 98 per cent of wastewater.
Powered primarily by renewable energy 5.1 MW from windmills and 10.1 MW from solar the unit is expected to generate over 200 jobs locally. Vikram Krishna, Managing Director of STPPL, stated the partnership with GFF reinforces the company's commitment to innovation, clean energy, and community development.
This investment concludes the current deployment phase of GFF, with plans underway for a follow-up fund, Good Fashion Fund 2.0. Bob Assenberg, Fund Director of GFF, noted the strategic significance of entering the home textile segment and commended Sharadha Terry’s sustainability leadership.
Wazir Advisors, the technical consultant on the project, highlighted STPPL’s forward-looking approach. Varun Vaid, Business Director at Wazir, emphasized the firm’s continued role in enabling sustainable transformation across India’s textile sector.
As a prominent home textile exporter, STPPL is well-positioned to scale its sustainability-led growth with this strategic expansion.
Owned by Dubai-based Vision Investments since 2019, Italian luxury fashion house Roberto Cavalli has teamed up with the Italian Company Arav Group to develop and distribute its children's clothing lines. The brand will produce and distribute the Roberto Cavalli Junior and Just Cavalli Junior collections.
Roberto Cavalli confirms, to kick off with the Spring/Summer 2026 collections, this new collaboration is set for a six-season term. Arav Group's portfolio includes the John Richmond brand, the women's wear label Silvian Heach, the younger line Marcobologna, and they are also the licensee for Trussardi's children's wear. Under this agreement, Arav Group will focus on enhancing the brand identity and market position of the two kids' lines, while Roberto Cavalli's in-house team will handle the creative design.
Including clothing ranges for new borns, babies, and juniors, Roberto Cavalli Junior is positioned at the high end of the market, emphasizing fine details and fabric quality. This line features items like silk muslin dresses and sequined jeans for girls, and elegant dinner jackets and oversized bomber jackets for boys. The more accessible collection targeting kids aged 4 to 14 years, Just Cavalli Junior is characterized by a ‘young, rebellious vibe’ with animal prints, geometric patterns, bright colors, and prominent logos.
The first collections resulting from the partnership with the Arav Group will be available starting spring 2026. Distribution will include ‘a selection of premium retailers, Cavalli's flagship stores, and select online multibrand retailers,’ according to Roberto Cavalli.
This new agreement follows a previous arrangement where Roberto Cavalli worked with Gimel, a children's wear manufacturer based in Southern Italy, for the production of only the Roberto Cavalli Junior line. In that prior setup, Roberto Cavalli managed the collection design and retail distribution internally.
Anil Rajbanshi, President, Reliance Industries has been named as the new Vice Chairman of the Man-Made and Technical Textiles Export Promotion Council (Matexil).
Before his tenure at Reliance, a position held since 2004, Rajbanshi was associated with the Birla Group. According to Matexil, his extensive involvement in India's man-made fiber textile industry, along with his contributions to the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) National Committees on Textiles and the Textiles Committee, highlights his dedication to advancing the sector.
Shaleen Toshniwal, Chairman, Matexil, opines, Rajbanshi's deep experience and comprehensive understanding of the man-Made fiber textiles industry will significantly enhance the council's operations and objectives.
Rajbanshi says, he looks forward to contributing to the growth of the man-made fiber textiles segment which represents the industry’s future.
Formerly known as the Synthetic and Rayon Textiles Export Promotion Council (SRTEPC), Matexil was established in 1954, making it one of India's oldest export promotion bodies. The council's scope covers man-made fibers, yarn, fabrics, made-ups including home textiles, and technical textiles. The organization currently represents approximately 3,500 exporters and aims to support industry development and facilitate exports within the man-made and technical textiles segment.
