'Adverse global conditions present a challenge for textile demand'

Cotton Council International executives say zero tariff regime should continue as it is beneficial to mills

The Indian cotton markets saw wild fluctuations in prices this year (October 2021 to September 2022) because of low supplies and global trends. In an interview, William Bettendorf, director of the Cotton Council International, and Peush Narang, the council’s India representative, said prolonged lockdowns in China, rising inflation in the US and the UK present a challenge to clothing demand, which is considered discretionary expenditure. Edited excerpts:

What is your forecast for Indian cotton production this year?

According to the latest United States Department of Agriculture report, India’s forecast for cotton production shows an upward trend with around 27.5 million