India’s textile industry has executed a massive strategic procurement play in 2025, capitalising on a global price slump to fortify its raw material reserves. According to the latest data from sourcing intelligence tool TexPro, India’s cotton imports (HS code 5201) surged to a staggering $1,927.716 million this year. This represents a 92.50% increase in value compared to 2024. However, the most striking figure lies in the sheer scale of physical goods; import volumes skyrocketed by 130%, reaching 1,036.041 million kg, effectively dwarfing the 451.424 million kg imported just a year prior and even surpassing the high-water marks of 2022.
The Sri Lankan textile and apparel sector reached a pivotal milestone in its journey toward industrial modernization with the official inauguration of a new multi-purpose training facility at the Sri Lanka Institute of Textile & Apparel (SLITA) in Ratmalana. This grand opening represents more than just an expansion of physical infrastructure; it serves as a cornerstone for the nation’s ambition to cultivate a world-class, highly skilled workforce. With a substantial investment of SLR 520 million (approximately $1.66 million), the project underscores the government’s strategic commitment to reinforcing the country’s primary export engine through advanced technical education.
March and April are traditionally celebrated as the "Golden March, Silver April" peak season for the global textile industry. However, 2026 has brought a disturbing anomaly for fabric producers in China. Instead of ramping up for a surge in orders, many weaving mills are taking the rare step of cutting production or even implementing temporary shutdowns due to uncontrollable volatility in raw material prices.
The Bangladesh Ready-Made Garment (RMG) sector, long the undisputed engine of the nation’s economic miracle, is currently navigating a turbulent and uncertain transition. After a decade of relentless expansion, the industry—which accounts for over 84 percent of the country’s total export earnings—is witnessing a significant contraction. New data from the Export Promotion Bureau reveals a 3.15 percent decline in total merchandise exports for the first eight months of FY26, signaling a potential end to the era of easy growth.
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