Page 16 - TEXtalks International May/June 2022

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US textiles imports from

India-Pakistan are on the rise

The textile imports of the USA are on the rise, and Apparel constituted the bulk of textiles and garments
imports from India and Pakistan grew by around imported by the US in January-March 2022. It was
53-54%. On the other hand, imports from Honduras, valued at $24.314 billion, while non-apparel
which is among the top 10 suppliers, registered a imports accounted for $8.053 billion, according
growth of only 20.97 % compared to the same to the latest Major Shippers Report released by
period of the previous year. The total import of the US department of commerce. Of the total
textiles and apparel by the United States continues US textile and apparel imports of $32.368 billion
to grow at a high rate and rose by 31.37% to during the period under review, cotton products
$32.368 billion in the first three months of 2022, were worth $14.495 billion, while man-made
compared to $24.639 billion in the same period of fiber products accounted for $16.259 billion,
2021. With 27.47% share, China is the largest followed by $739.258 million of wool products,
supplier of textiles and clothing to the US, followed and $874.120 million of products from silk and
by Vietnam with 13.59% share. vegetable fibers.

Stakeholders want to promote

organic Cotton production in Pakistan

Compared to other materials on the market, organic cotton is one of the most environmentally friendly
options, as it does not have a harsh manufacturing process. The production of organic cotton fabric uses
less energy, releases fewer greenhouse gases and due to the improved soil quality, uses significantly less
water. Cotton production in Pakistan is integral to the economic development of the country. The nation is
largely dependent on the cotton industry and its related textile sector, and the crop has been given a principal
status in the country. However, being a thirsty crop and consuming a huge number of fertilizers, it has also
many disadvantages. Thus, the world is moving towards organic cotton and so should Pakistan.

Recently, speakers in a three-day workshop in Pakistan called for organic cotton production which aims to
bring sustainability by reducing the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, and water. They also stressed that
organic cotton supports biodiversity conservation and promotes agroforestry in Pakistan, whereas conven-
tional cotton production practices, with excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, pose threat to a
wildlife and lead to the degradation of habitats and ecosystems. WWF-Pakistan is promoting organic cotton
with sustainable practices, which has resulted in a 22% reduction in pesticides, 12% reduction in the use of
irrigation water, and 19% reduction in the use of synthetic fertilizer, which ultimately reduces the per unit
greenhouse gas emissions at the farm level, compared to cotton produced by non-participating farmers.

May/June 2022