Apparel industry presses for duty cut on cotton as 45 lakh bales gap looms

A 45 lakh bale shortage could spike input costs fast

Apparel industry representatives met Vice President C P Radhakrishnan and ministers, demanding removal of an 11% import duty on cotton. They warn of a projected 45 lakh bales supply-demand gap for the upcoming season, which could push up input costs and strain domestic manufacturers. The request aims to ease cost pressures and protect the sector’s competitiveness.