India - Ban On Cotton Export Demanded.

Banarasi Vastra Udyog Sangh (BVUS) has demanded a ban on the export of cotton to bring down prices and save the textile industry.

Convener, Yarn Development Committee of BVUS, GK Kediya said during 2010, the cotton price increased from Rs 23,000 per bale (170 kg) to Rs 46,000 per bale, a whopping increase of 100%. In March, it further increased to Rs 61,360 per bale, another increase of 33%. It means there is a total increase from January 2010 to till date is Rs 38,360, an unprecedented jump of 166%.

"As a result, a number of mills were closed and weavers started switching over to synthetic yarn, which will make us loose export market of cotton fabrics," said Kediya, adding Varanasi was a bulk consumer of cotton yarn, particularly Mercerise cotton. "We demand a ban on cotton export, which alone can bring the prices down," he said and added after agriculture, textile industry was the second largest employment generating industry.

The BVUS has sent a letter to the textile secretary along with development commissioner (handloom), textile commissioner, Union minister of textiles, minister of commerce, Prime Minister and UPA chairperson, urging for a ban on cotton export.

Source : yarnsandfibers.com