Page 11 - September-October-2020

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COVID is still deeply

affecting the cotton

supply chain

The cotton supply chain continues to suffer from million tonnes in 2020/21, while global production is BCI 2019 breakthroughs
COVID, trade tensions and a sluggish global anticipated to increase to 24.9 million tonnes in
economy. The entire world might be tired of the 2020/21. Production in the United States, Pakistan
COVID pandemic and simply want to be done with it and West Africa is expected to decrease in 2020/21 unveiled: accounts for 22% of
— but it is, sadly, far from done with the cotton while production in India and China is expected to
industry. Production in 2020/21 (24.9 million tonnes) increase in 2020/21.
is projected to outpace consumption by 500,000 global cotton production
tonnes, and many major producers are expected to Inclement weather and trade conflicts could
see their totals drop in the coming year, including compound the challenges in some regions,
the USA, Brazil, Pakistan and West Africa. especially the USA, which not only is experiencing Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) has launched its 2019 and we are still assessing how the current Covid-19
an unusually active hurricane season but also is still
Global cotton consumption is estimated at 24.4 engaged in a trade war with China. Annual Report. In the report, BCI shares that Better pandemic will impact our efforts. But one thing is
Cotton – cotton produced by licensed BCI Farmers certain, we have made significant and undeniable
in line with the initiative’s Better Cotton Principles progress over the past 10 years, and there are many
and Criteria – now accounts for 22% of global cotton successes to celebrate.” – Alan McClay, CEO, BCI.
production.
Major highlights of 2019 Report
Razak emphasizes on ‘Make in In the 2018-19 cotton season, together with expert • Better Cotton was grown in 23 countries in the
on-the-ground Implementing Partners and with
2018-19 cotton season
support from more than 1,800 members, BCI
• Licensed BCI Farmers produced 5.6 million metric
Pakistan’ initiative to provided training on more sustainable agricultural tonnes of Better Cotton. That is enough cotton to
practices to 2.3 million cotton farmers – 2.1 million
make approximately 8 billion pairs of jeans, a pair
gained a license to sell Better Cotton.
strengthen exports BCI’s Retailer and Brand Members passed a each for every person in the world.
• Better Cotton now accounts for 22% of global
significant milestone at the end of 2019, sourcing
more than 1.5 million metric tonnes of Better Cotton cotton production.
• BCI and its 76 field-level partners delivered
Abdul Razak Dawood, Advisor to the Prime Ministry of Commerce in the current budget, – a record for BCI. That’s a 40% increase on 2018 training and support to a total of 2.3 million farmers
Minister, on Commerce and Investment Razak Dawood stated that tariffs need to be and sends a clear signal to the market that Better • 2.1 million cotton farmers received a BCI license
commented that government is pursuing the rationalized in order to achieve the objectives of Cotton is becoming a sustainable mainstream
policy of ‘Make in Pakistan’ diligently and have ‘Make in Pakistan’. commodity. Better Cotton uptake now accounts for to sell their cotton as Better Cotton – 99% are
rapid industrialization for substituting the imports 6% of global cotton production. smallholders farming on less than 20 hectares
and enhancing our exports. This was remarked He added that primarily due to COVID- 19 • BCI Retailer and Brand Members sourced 1.5
by him in a meeting with a delegation of situation and to address its impact on economy, “It is particularly pleasing to share the progress BCI million metric tonnes of cotton as Better Cotton in
is making, thanks to the concerted efforts of our
Chambers of Commerce and Industry at Ministry some of the sectors have not been considered members, partners and other stakeholders, towards 2019 – a record volume
of Commerce. for the tariff rationalization, while some important our 2020 targets. With two more cotton seasons • Uptake of Better Cotton now accounts for 6% of
sectors have been given benefits. (2019-20 and 2020-21) within which to make further
The meeting was attended by the advances at field level, we are committed to not only global cotton production
representatives of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Talking about the future plans, the Advisor told the continuing to deliver beneficial change at field level, • BCI welcomed more than 400 new members in 2019
Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Gujrat, Multan delegation that the Government is following a three but also to learning from the experience and • By the end of the year, BCI had 1,842 members
and Mirpur chambers. While informing the year plan, gradually removing duties and tariffs, adapting to become more effective. We do not yet across five membership categories, a 29% increase
delegation about the steps undertaken by the particularly on raw materials for the industry. know how close we will come to our 2020 targets, on 2018

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