Cotton industry leaders gathered in Lubbock to discuss the state of the industry and challenges such as supply chain, transportation, and warehousing.
Challenges:
Smaller U.S. crop due to a dry and prolonged hot summer in the High Plains of Texas
Slowdown in demand from China due to its economic slowdown and geopolitical tensions
Increased competition from other countries such as Brazil
Opportunities:
Growing demand for textiles in developed economies
Potential for India to become a major player in the textile manufacturing sector
Key takeaways:
Communication with partners is essential to plan for the season ahead
Partnerships and constant communication with stakeholders are important to move cotton forward
Effective engagement among different segments in cotton flow, brands, and retailers will be critical to address the lack of robust demand for textiles due to inflation
Professor Ramkumar's observation:
Overall, the cotton industry is facing a number of challenges, but there are also opportunities for growth. By working together, industry leaders can overcome these challenges and capitalize on the opportunities.