Persistent Decline in Exports of Cotton Yarn - a Matter of Deep Concern - Chairman, TEXPROCIL

Exports of cotton yarn in the first six months of the current fiscal year 2019-20 from April to September 2019 has declined sharply by 38.80 per cent.

Exports during this period touched US$ 1276 million as against US$ 2086 in the same period in 2018-19. Export of cotton yarn has registered negative growth in all the months since April 2019.

"The continuous fall in exports of cotton yarn is a matter of deep concern", said Dr KV Srinivasan, Chairman of The Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council (TEXPROCIL).

Exports of cotton yarn to leading markets such as China, Bangladesh, Vietnam, South Korea, Colombia and Turkey have dropped significantly, pointed out Dr Srinivasan.

Further, exports of value-added products such as fabrics and made-ups have grown only by a marginal 1.87 per cent in the current fiscal year.

This combined with a lukewarm domestic demand has further aggravated the situation for the cotton yarn spinning sector, according to the Chairman of TEXPROCIL.

Many of the spinning mills are reportedly on the verge of closure which may cause unemployment.

Cotton Yarn is the only product which has not been granted export benefits such as MEIS & 3 per cent Interest Equalization Scheme. In addition, exporters of cotton yarn are at a serious disadvantage vis-a-vis competing countries due to differential Import duties in leading export markets.

There is an import duty ranging from 3.5 per cent to 5 per cent on cotton yarns imported from India into major markets like China, EU, Turkey and South Korea as against imports from competing nations like Bangladesh, Cambodia, Pakistan, Indonesia and Vietnam which enjoys the benefit of zero duty in these markets.

Cotton yarn also bears the incidence of state and central taxes on inputs which are not being rebated as in the case of made-ups and garments. This has got an adverse impact on its competitiveness in the export markets.

"Cotton yarn is also a value-added product with substantial value addition taking place within the country and its exports need to be encouraged," said Dr KV Srinivasan.

He also pointed out that only about 27 per cent of the total production of cotton yarn is being exported and there will not be any shortage of cotton yarn in the country both for export and domestic production if exports increase.

Dr KV Srinivasan appealed to the Government to include cotton yarn under the MEIS, 3 per cent Interest Equalization Scheme and the ROSCTL (Rebate of State Levies & Taxes) scheme so that exports of cotton yarn can increase and achieve its true potential which in turn will benefit the cotton farmers.

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