North Indian cotton yarn prices showed a mixed trend due to varying market conditions. Prices rose by ₹2 per kg in Ludhiana but remained steady in Delhi amid slow demand and holiday closures. Mills are pushing for higher prices following an increase in global cotton prices. Cotton arrivals have decreased significantly across Haryana, Punjab, and Rajasthan.
The Indian Union Minister of Textiles, Shri Giriraj spoke at the international conference "Viksit Bharat - Technical Textiles for Sustainable Growth & Development" in New Delhi. He emphasized the growing importance of technical textiles, especially man-made fibers, both globally and domestically. The government has taken several initiatives to boost the sector, including Start-up and research projects. The Union Minister is confident that the industry will cross the 2030 export target of $10bn.
The garment industry in Binh Dinh (Viet Name) is actively embracing a green transformation to meet global market demands for eco-friendly production. With 152 companies employing around 35,000 workers, the sector has invested in modern machinery and innovative technologies to enhance productivity and reduce environmental impact. Despite challenges such as high input costs and reliance on import materials, Viet Nam is focusing on improving its competitiveness through shifting towards sustainable production and a diversified product range.
NGOs in Tamil Nadu have alerted the local pollution control board TNPCB about toxic air pollution in the Chengalpattu district. Residents have reported health problems, including lung infections in children, due to harmful chemicals, such as volatile organic compounds and formaldehyde being released by textile factories in the area. After NGOs have urged TNPCB to take action, a committee of environmental scientists and engineers has been formed to investigate the issue.
While Bangladesh is still navigating through a dynamic period of substantial changes, the interim government has agreed to review the current minimum wage to support industries and address rising costs of living. The announcement of the decision was followed by a meeting with government advisors. Soon, tripartite consultation involving the government, factory owners, and labor unions will be held.
The ready-to-wear sector in Türkiye is facing challenges as employment and production has been significantly declining in recent years. Rising inflation and production costs have led to companies shifting their production to countries such as Bangladesh and Egypt, particularly for jeans. While a total of 983,000 people has lost their jobs, there has been a steep increase in informal or unregistered work.
The garment industry in Binh Dinh (Viet Name) is actively embracing a green transformation to meet global market demands for eco-friendly production. With 152 companies employing around 35,000 workers, the sector has invested in modern machinery and innovative technologies to enhance productivity and reduce environmental impact. Despite challenges such as high input costs and reliance on import materials, Viet Nam is focusing on improving its competitiveness through shifting towards sustainable production and a diversified product range.
Cambodia has announced a new monthly minimum wage of 208 U.S. dollars for workers in the garment, footwear, and travel goods industry, effective from January 1, 2025. This represents a 1.96% increase from the current wage of 204 dollars. The National Council for Minimum Wage initially proposed a wage of 206 dollars, which was raised by an additional two dollars by Prime Minister Hun Manet.
Bangladesh now has 229 LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) -certified green garment factories, including 91 platinum and 124 gold-rated, with 61 of the world's top 100 highest-rated. Three more factories—Ananta Huaxiang Limited, Sepal Garments Ltd, and Unitex Spinning Ltd—recently earned LEED certification.
Indian commerce minister Piyush Goyal and Myanmar's minister Kan Zaw discussed boosting bilateral trade through local currencies at the 12th East Asia Summit in Laos. They also reviewed the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA). Local currency trading aims to reduce transaction costs.
Viet Nam has successfully begun mass producing eco-friendly pineapple silk, yarn, and fabric, making it widely available for fashion and furniture. Previously made in small quantities, companies like Bao Lan Textile and Ecofa Vietnam now produce 18 tons per month by recycling pineapple farming waste. The fabric is durable, antibacterial, UV-protective, and aligns with sustainable fashion trends, with plans to increase output to 50 tons by 2025.
The Delhi Government has announced an increase in minimum wages for workers, effective October 1st. Chief Minister Atishi stated that Delhi now has the highest minimum wage in India. Major apparel manufacturers in areas like Gandhi Nagar and Tank Road, employing over 500,000 workers, primarily work on piece rates, which remain unaffected by the minimum wage increase. Factory owners believe market forces will dictate any adjustments in piece rates, mitigating the impact of the new wages.
The ongoing situation in Bangladesh has exposed vulnerabilities in the supply chain, particularly around fair wages and working conditions. The Business & Human Rights Resource Centre and Sourcing Journal conducted surveys with international apparel brands to gauge their responses to the crisis. Despite public commitments from many brands to support ethical sourcing and maintain their supply chains, concerns have arisen. For example, while Uniqlo committed to maintaining order levels, a supplier revealed that some brands are planning to reduce sourcing by 30%, which could negatively impact workers and suppliers. In response, Decathlon and Fast Retailing (Uniqlo's parent company) clarified that they have no plans to reduce or cancel orders from Bangladeshi suppliers, reaffirming their support during the unrest.
Vietnam's potential to expand its textile exports to the EU has been valued at €4.5 billion in 2023. While the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) reduces import taxes, Vietnamese companies must meet strict EU sustainability regulations. European buyers are prioritizing transparency, carbon reduction, and labor conditions. To stay competitive, Vietnam must shift from fast growth to sustainable practices, invest in clean energy, improve domestic supply chains, and adapt to the EU’s evolving textile strategy.
CRISIL Ratings predicts that the revenue of readymade garment (RMG) exporters in Tamil Nadu, India, will increase by 8-10% to $5.11 billion (₹43,000 crore) in the current fiscal year, driven by healthy order inflows and rising demand. This growth is higher than the national level, where a 3-5% increase is expected. The state's larger export share of 65-70%, compared to the national average of 20-25%, supports this stronger performance.
The International Labor Organization (ILO) has proposed five key reforms to address labor unrest in Bangladesh's readymade garment (RMG) sector, focusing on wage policy improvements, labor law amendments, enhanced industrial relations, and better worker safety standards. It emphasized the need for constructive dialogue among factory owners, workers, and the government to resolve grievances.
The Better Cotton group has launches a research project in India to empower women in the cotton sector by identifying best practices and overcoming barriers like limited mobility and education. Collaborating with local partners, the initiative aims to increase women's leadership roles and promote sustainable farming practices. By 2023, Better Cotton seeks to empower one million women and ensure that 25% of its field staff are women who can influence sustainable cotton production.
Bangladeshi Square Group CEO Tapan Chowdhury expressed optimism about the business climate under the interim government, noting significant improvements in governance and stability. He highlighted the need for a clear election roadmap and emphasized the importance of ethical business practices for sustainable growth in the garment sector.
Rubana Haque, the former president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), highlighted the severity of the situation, mentioning that many factories have been closed for weeks and that up to 25-30% of orders might be lost by December. She emphasized the need for open discussion about these issues.
Denim giant Levi’s Strauss has signed a binding agreement to ensure that garment workers making its jeans in Pakistan will finally be able to go to work without having to fear for their lives.
