Page 20 - TEXtalks November/December 2021

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FibreTrace® to create Africa’s first

fully traceable cotton supply chain

ARISE IIP, Pan-African developer and operator of world-class industrial parks, has partnered with FibreTrace®
to announce a new pilot program enabling spinner-to-garment traceability for ARISE IIP’s highly anticipated
Republic of Benin spinning facilities at the Glo-Djigbe Industrial Zone (GDIZ). The partnership between
FibreTrace® and ARISE IIP will bring full traceability to the first of their kind, vertically integrated mills in the
Republic of Benin to trace, verify and audit the lifecycle of their garments from spinning mills to stores,
sharing the journey of Benin premium cotton with end consumers.

The program will debut in the Fall of 2022 when GDIZ spinning, fabric, and garment production facilities are
anticipated to start operations. The partnership will position Benin at the forefront of textile innovation and
technology, improving visibility, resilience, securing economic competitiveness, and creating a thriving value
chain for African agriculture. The country is expected to have 98,000 tons of cotton processing capacity per
annum by the end of 2023. It is anticipated that this technology will be adopted at scale across all textile
processing sites and facilities in Benin and the African sub-continent. The technology will provide transparen-
cy and true custody of supply chain solutions for brands and suppliers across the globe.

Punjab’s cotton production increased

by 40% during the current year

Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association has released data on cotton production until November 15, indicating a
70% rise in the cotton received at ginning factories. The country has recorded a massive increase of 2.8m
bales, with Sindh leading the production. Sindh produced 3.44m bales while Punjab produced 3.4m bales
contributing significantly to year-on-year growth. As per data, Sindh cotton production increased 83%. The
highest cotton arrival was seen in Ghotki which received 303,700 bales and recorded a 107% year-on-year
growth. Naushero Feroze received 300,900 bales and recorded 85% growth while Nawabshah received
186,700 bales but recorded the highest year-on-year growth of 216% within Sindh. Last year, Nawabshah had
received 59,100, Naushero Feroze 162,400 and Ghotki 146,900 bales.

Meanwhile, Punjab has seen 59% year-on-year growth, though yield grew incredibly in Bhakkar and Lodhran
which registered over 300% year-on-year growth. Bhakkar had produced only 3,700 bales last year, and
Lodhran only 19,700 bales. This year, the highest number of bales in Punjab came from Layyah, which
produced 181,300 bales and recorded a 163% year-on-year growth. However, Pakistan Kissan Ittehad (PKI)
and Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA) termed Punjab’s cotton production estimate of 5.168 million
bales highly unrealistic considering the fresh cotton arrival trend.

November/December 2021