Banking on ‘Green’

Images of blazing wildfires, cracked dry farmland or satellite shots of melting ice may get people thinking about the environment, but they have not become full-fledged activists as a result. …

Turning Back to the Real Thing

Cotton prices have returned to historical averages, and that is good news for both the apparel industry and consumers. When cotton prices spiked in March 2011, some retailers and manufacturers…

CHINESE COTTON POLICY: DECISIONS AND EFFECTS

As the world’s largest cotton grower, consumer, and importer, China has long been at the center of the global cotton market.  Since the spike in fiber prices that occurred during…

Easing Apparel Sourcing Cost Pressures

Market forces inside and outside of China that have kept cotton prices higher in recent years are disappearing. As a result, cotton prices around the world have moved lower. The…

The Ties That Bind

The U.S. Congress recently revived the Trans-Pacific Partnership when it voted to give President Barack Obama “fast track” authority to negotiate trade deals. The complicated, multi-pronged trade agenda involves 11…

Brave New World

If the U.S. and China were to post their relationship status on Facebook, the "it's complicated" option comes to mind.

Monthly Economic Letter February 2018

Despite some significant upward movement, most cotton prices are either even or lower than one month ago.

Monthly Economic Letter March 2018

Movement in international benchmark prices was mixed over the past month, with NY futures and the A Index increasing, South Asian prices flat to lower, and Chinese prices stable.

Monthly Economic Letter April 2018

NY futures experienced volatility in early April. Current values for all benchmark prices are flat to lower relative to levels one month ago.

Monthly Economic Letter May 2018

NY futures experienced volatility recently, with the net effect being a slight increase in prices. The A Index also moved slightly higher, while other benchmark prices were stable.