Cotton output from China’s Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region is expected to fall by 11 per cent from last year in 2023 as it places an emphasis on quality over quantity.
Exports from China’s Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region to the US dropped by almost 90 per cent in February, eight months after the Uygur Forced Labour Prevention Act came into effect.
Total cotton production in China is expected to increase by 5.8 per cent year on year, although demand has weakened, while the US’ Uygur Forced Labour Prevention Act has also hurt the market.
Entities from China’s Xinjiang region exported a 10-month high of US$56.8 million worth of goods to the US in August despite the Uygur Forced Labour Prevention Act having come into effect at the end of June.
Hong Kong and mainland Chinese companies in the textile and garment industry are trying to both burnish their image and do right by the environment by adopting more sustainable practices.