Seshadri Ramkumar, Professor, Texas Tech University, USA
As the economy expected to rebound in the United States followed by Europe, global textiles industry is in the need of demand revival. Past 18 months has seen rocky economic climate showing anomalies such as high inflation, strong labor market and weak consumer demand. The majority of citizens in developed economies such as Canada feel pessimistic about their future. Just this week, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to make a major cabinet shuffle to put new ministers in key positions to boost job growth and revitalize the economy.
Export-oriented textiles sector in countries like India have been hit hard by weak export demand, which in turn impacted the domestic market as export-oriented companies have been forced to dump their products in the domestic market. In India normally, spinning mills maintain stock of 1-2 weeks of production, but due to low demand, stocks worth one month or more of production are held by many companies leading to crisis. Indian textile industry has been demanding the waiver of 11% customs duty on cotton imports to reduce the cost of raw material, stated Velmurugan Shanmugam, General Manager of Aruppukkottai, India-based Jayalakshmi Textiles.
Given the sensitivity with regard to farmer’s livelihood in India and the ensuing parliamentary elections next year, in my opinion, it is highly unlikely that the Government would do anything with waiving tariffs on cotton imports. Gnanasekar Thiagarajan, Mumbai- based Cotton Analyst agrees with my view and opines that with inflation expected to have a soft landing in the United States, demand may pick up in the next quarter. Overcapacity in certain segments of the textile sector, excessive stocks of yarns and weak global demand are all contributing to the current crisis in the textile sector in India.
Product diversification, strategic stocking of raw materials, automation, and better labor retention policies are all some strategies the industry can adopt. Jayalakshmi Textiles has been manufacturing varied products and utilizes solar and wind power to have a better handle on the cost. “It is important to modernize and not go on expansion in the current times,” stated Velmurugan Shanmugam.
With economic revival expected and no recession on the horizon, demand may pick up. “Downside will be limited from now,” opined Gnanasekar Thiagarajan. The textile industry has to revitalize depending upon regional needs and strategic strengths such as enhancement of crop yields in India, manufacture of sustainable textiles at affordable prices in developed economies, etc. Importantly, there needs to be better communication across the supply chain and better engagement with policymakers and consumers.
