Stress On Cottons Strengths To Fight Back Mmfs

The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) had recently made a detailed study on the declining market share of cotton and the main contributing factors for the same.

While analysing the reasons, ICAC states that cotton lost 1.5 per cent of the world textile market equivalent to 6,00,000 tonne between 1987 and 1995, due to the erosion of price competitiveness and it lost 3.4 per cent or 1.4 million tonne due to non-price competitiveness.

The steeper decline in cottons market share witnessed in developing countries compared to the developed countries can be explained by the fact that production and availability of MMF rapidly rose in the former during the last two decades. Simultaneously, mill-gate prices of MMF also moved down from the earlier levels.

 

In India, man-made fibre and filament yarn industry made its debut in 1962 with the production of nylon filament yarn (NFY). After a gap of six years, the first DMT unit was set up in 1968, ushering in the era of polyester which is the real competitor to cotton. Later on, particularly during the 80s and 90s, both capacity and production of polyester and other man-made fibres as well as that of raw materials needed for their manufacture expanded significantly.

Immediately after their advent, MMF proved to be an instant success mainly because of their soft, lustrous appearance, durability and easy-care properties.

Their higher prices did not prove to be a sufficient deterrent, at least among the upper strata of society.

However, a large share of the MMF use by the domestic textile industry had to be met through imports draining the countrys foreign exchange reserves. Heavy imposts by way of duties and taxes were therefore placed on MMF to curb their use.

In order to meet the mounting challenges, cottons strength and weaknesses have to be assessed with a view to further improving the former and removing the latter.

Suresh Kotak, president of the East India Cotton Association has said that cotton has to capitalise on demerits of MMF and highlight its relative advantages to forge ahead. Also, it should not lose sight of the fact that new synthetics combining its wearing comfort and moisture absorbency, the strength of polyester and smoothness of silk are under development and may enter the market soon.

The total world fibre demand is decided by population and economic conditions.

The producer of the fibre has little influence on the total size of the fibre market which is served by a variety of natural and man-made products.

The textile manufacture may choose any of these or their blends for the various textile end-uses.

The main considerations which will weigh with him in the choice of the fibres are price, availability, processing costs, compatibility with the installed machinery, legislative environment, final, final product performance and, of course, consumer preference.

The ultimate driving force will be consumer preference, which can be influenced by a variety of factors.

like price, fashion, brand name, image of the fibre in-store and media promotion etc.