Booming Asian Markets Call For ELS To Keep Growing
March 17, 2009 Extra-long staples (ELS) cotton varieties have long been in demand by mills around the world for their quality, length and strength. And several areas of the world – most notably parts of the U.S. and Egypt – have become synonymous with the production of ELS.
But other markets where demand for cotton is strong are striving to follow the ELS lead. The major Asian markets of China and India are where the call for more ELS is most urgent – together, the two countries consume roughly 65% of the world’s ELS cotton production, and efforts are now underway to begin meeting more of that demand through local production.
Asian Demand
China is now consuming more ELS cotton than before, according to industry reports. Chinese consumption of U.S. Pima and Egyptian ELS varieties has grown more than 139% between 2003 and 2006, mostly due to the advantages it offers for high-speed spinning.
India’s consumption is expected to grow by 50% by 2010, most of which is expected to be met through imports, primarily from the U.S. and Egypt.
China’s domestic crop, grown mainly in Xinjiang province, also is far too small to feed the country’s demand.
India’s Call For ELS
In India, where cotton production has boomed over the past several seasons, industry leaders are pushing for greater ELS production. “In the long-run, increasing production of ELS cotton in the country is the only solution. The necessity for higher domestic ELS crop is being felt more now,” said A Ramani, cotton analyst and joint secretary of the South India Cotton Association (SICA).
A campaign to increase the amount of ELS cotton grown in India has been initiated by the country’s government and private agencies. The Southern India Mills Association Association – Cotton Development & Research Association (SIMA-CD&RA) along with SICA has taken an active role to promote ELS in the country.
Textile companies have also shown interest, and efforts are on to develop newer ELS varieties. “If we have a proper action plan, we will be able to bridge the demand-supply gap,” T.V. Karivaradharaaju, chief adviser of SIMA-CD&RA, told an Indian news service.
SIMA is planning to promote its hybrid extra-long staple (ELS) cotton “SIMA HB-3” in the Indian states of Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
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