In its August report, USDA projected world cotton output at 101.6 million bales in 2016/17, down one million bales below the July 2016 forecast, however 4.7 million bales above the 2015/16 season, but still 9 per cent below world use. The rise in 2016/17 output has been mainly attributed to the US, with gains also expected in India, Brazil and Pakistan. The US agriculture agency also said that cotton yield is estimated to spring back and more than offset an area decrease from alternative crop

China, the top importer of cotton yarn from India, has significantly reduced its sourcing in recent past. However, India continues to be the major supplier of cotton yarn for China. China has simultaneously reduced yarn imports from the World over the past one year. In July, India’s cotton yarn exports to China plunged 75% year on year, both in terms of shipment and value. During the month, shipment was just 17 million kgs valued at US$285 million as against 66 million kgs worth US$1,118 million

In spite of the pledge made by leading retailers to introduce substantial change in the working conditions of its millions of garment workers around the world following the Rana Plaza collapse in April, 2013, conditions have yet to improve overall, even in other production countries. H&M has been called out for working with apparel factories in Myanmar which employ workers as young as 14, who labour away for over 12 hours a day, according to the book 'Modeslavar.' The authors of the book

China is planning to add 17 more products from Bangladesh, including items like synthetic fibre, silk waste, short boots and some leather products, to the list of 4,700 products for which it has long been providing duty-free benefits. The duty-free benefit would be provided as part of an effort to deepen trade relations between the two countries. The duty-free access to 17 products was agreed in principle by the Chinese side at the 14th session of the biannual Bangladesh-China Joint Economic

Pakis­tan’s exports of textile and clothing fell nearly four per cent year-on-year to $982.6 million in July, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics said on Monday. The proceeds stood at $1.02 billion in the same month of the last year. Exports of readymade garments dropped 0.03pc while exports of knitwear fell 5pc during the last month. Last year, exports of readymade garments witnessed a nominal gro­wth despite fall in proceeds from all other products. The decline in exports came d

The Australian Wool Production Forecasting Committee (AWPFC) has forecast greasy shorn wool production at 325 million kg in 2015/16, down 6.1 per cent as against in 2014/15. AWPFC noted that for the 2015/16 season, AWTA test data showed a significant increase in the weight of wool 16.5 micron and finer and no change in the volumes of 17 micron wool. “There was a decline in the volumes of wool for all other micron ranges broader than 17 micron and a significant drop in wool volumes between

The first fortnight of August 2016 witnessed a decline in Brazilian cotton quotes, following the sharp drop in international cotton prices. “Brazilian cotton purchasers taking advantage of the movement, bought new batches for prompt delivery, which in turn hiked the pace of cotton trades,” CEPEA said. However, cotton growers continued to stay firm on their asking prices, keeping in mind the low cotton production amid urge to accomplish contracts by sellers. Quoting data from the Brazili

Myanmar-based Olympus Asia Group and Korean company Panko Corporation joint venture for building free-on-board (FOB) garment factories on 500 acres of land, for which they are looking for land in Yangon, Bago or Ayeywarwady regions. The project will start within one year and it will take three years to build the required infrastructure. According to the Myanmar Garment Manufacturers Association, vast majority of Myanmar’s garment factories operate under the cut-make-pack system. Under the CMP

Cambodian government making efforts to stimulate traditional silk production have had moderate success and steady sales of silk products in the Kingdom. The availability of cheap Vietnamese and Chinese silk and silk-cotton blends are adding extra stress to the further progress and development of the country’s centuries old homespun industry, said Mao Thora, secretary of state for the Ministry of Commerce, and chairman of the Cambodia Silk Sector Development and Promotion Commission. Cambodia

A delegation from the National Chamber of Textile, Industry of Mexico (Canaintex) will make a trip to Vietnam from August 27-28 to explore the garment-textile sector. The delegation is scheduled to visit seven factories and one industrial zone to study the process of making fiber and apparel products. According to the Chamber, the Trans Pacific Partnership agreement, once effective, will allow Vietnam to ship its garment-textile products to more markets, particularly the US. Vietnam is