Shadow

Cotton Crisis in America: US Textile Mills Drops to Lowest Since 1885

Cotton Crisis in America: US Textile Mills Drops to Lowest Since 1885
Photo: Bloomberg

Cotton Crisis in America: US Textile Mills Drops to Lowest Since 1885

Cotton: Imagine stepping back in time to 1885, the year the Statue of Liberty arrived in New York. That’s how long you’d have to go back to find a year when American textile mills processed less cotton than they’re on track for in 2024. A whopping 15% less than last year, and even lower than expected, this marks a historic low and raises serious concerns about the future of the once-mighty US textile industry.

Clothes made in countries with lower labor costs simply undercut American-made options, while fabrics like polyester offer more affordable and often more durable alternatives.

Read: Bangladesh’s Clothes Sales to US Drop in 2023

This isn’t a new trend. Decades of competition have pushed many US textile mills to close their doors. Even a brief revival in the 1990s, fueled by trade deals that encouraged exporting yarn and fabric for overseas garment production, couldn’t sustain the industry in the long run.

As Peter Egli, a risk management expert, puts it, US mill use has “just disappeared.” The stark reality is that other countries simply offer “much better margins” for textile production. This decline not only impacts cotton farmers but also weakens a once-proud American industry.

While US demand plummets, global cotton use by mills is actually increasing. This suggests a shift in production location, not a decrease in overall cotton consumption. This raises questions about the environmental and ethical implications of shifting production to potentially less regulated regions.

So, what does the future hold for American cotton and textiles? Some experts believe innovation and niche markets hold promise. Others fear the decline is irreversible. Regardless, the current situation serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by traditional industries in an increasingly globalized and competitive world.

 

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Discover more from Apparel Architects

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading