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#Raw Materials

Early impacts of Covid-19 are crippling the cotton supply chain

Cotlook A Index - Trade disputes, slowdown of economic growth and a global health crises (c) 2020 ICAC
We don’t yet know what the ultimate impact of Covid-19 will be on the cotton industry, but the fast-moving pandemic has injected a tremendous amount of uncertainty into every link of the global supply chain. Millions of people are self-isolating and the cotton and textile business is at a virtual standstill.
  • The ultimate impact of the Covid-19 virus on the cotton and textile industry is uncertain but the sector has been affected along with the general economy
  • Brands and retailers are cancelling orders, leaving spinners and textile manufacturers in Asia and Southeast Asia in a financial crisis
  • The global consumption estimate has been revised downward to 24.6 million tonnes

As many businesses have been required to slowdown or close for the consideration of public health, manufacturing and supply chain activity in Asia and Southeast Asia have decelerated as orders have slowed or have been cancelled — and things could get much worse in the coming months. The initial impacts of Covid-19 on GDP growth in many major economies is likely to be significant in the short term.

The Secretariat’s current price projection for the year-end 2019/20 average of the Cotlook A Index has been revised to 73.5 cents per pound this month. Our first price projection for the year-end 2020/21 average of the Cotlook A Index is 64 cents per pound.


The global production estimate for the 2019/20 season remains unchanged at 25.9 million tonnes while our consumption estimate has been revised downward to 24.6 million tonnes.

Cotton This Month is published at the beginning of the month with the Cotton Update published mid-month. The Cotton Update, which is included in the Cotton This Month subscription, is a mid-month report with updated information on supply/demand estimates and prices. The next Cotton Update will be released on 15 April 2020. The next Cotton This Month will be released on 1 May 2020.


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#Natural Fibers

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Global cotton trade poised for recovery as India and China drive import demand

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Organic cotton at the crossroads: Ideology, evidence, and the road ahead

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#Raw Materials

CSITC adds ABRAPA as a round trial sample provider

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#Natural Fibers

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#Sustainability

The first widely accessible Life Cycle Assessment study for cashmere production published by Textile Exchange.

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#Raw Materials

AMSilk and Ajinomoto Foods Europe expand partnership to enable industrial-scale production of silk proteins

AMSilk GmbH (“AMSilk”), a global leader leader in biotech produced silk materials, today announced a significant expansion of its partnership with Ajinomoto Foods Europe (AFE), marking a key step in scaling the industrial production of its silk proteins. Building on the collaboration first established in 2023, the two companies have now entered into a long-term manufacturing and supply agreement, enabling the transition from industrial validation to dedicated, large-scale production.

#Natural Fibers

Cotton made in Africa partners receive top marks in independent verifications

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#Knitting & Hosiery

Groz-Beckert at Igatex 2026

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#Sustainability

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#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

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#Recycling / Circular Economy

Industrial scale meets verified governance: RE&UP is now B Corp™ certified

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