HS Code:
Woven fabrics of cotton, containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, weighing not more than 200 g/mยฒ (HS Code: 5208), are lightweight cotton textiles used primarily in apparel, home textiles, and other consumer goods. This category includes a variety of fabric types such as plain weave, twill, and satin, often utilized for shirts, dresses, bed linens, and curtains. These fabrics are valued for their breathability, softness, and versatility, making them a staple in the global textile industry. Trade in this category is influenced by factors such as raw cotton availability, labor costs, and trade agreements.
Total Trade Volume
USD 5.2 billion
Data from 2022
Source
United Nations Comtrade Database
USD 1.8 billion
34.6% of total trade
Increasing
USD 1.1 billion
21.2% of total trade
Increasing
USD 0.6 billion
11.5% of total trade
Stable
USD 0.4 billion
7.7% of total trade
Increasing
USD 0.3 billion
5.8% of total trade
Increasing
Average Rate
8.5%
Highest Rate
25% (applied by certain developing countries to protect domestic industries)
Lowest Rate
0% (under free trade agreements like EU-GSP or USMCA)
Growing demand for sustainable and organic cotton fabrics
Increased market share for exporters with certified organic production, especially in Europe and North America
2021-2022
Shift towards fast fashion and quick-turnaround supply chains
Favors countries with efficient logistics and low-cost production like Bangladesh and Vietnam
2020-2022
Rising labor and raw material costs in traditional exporting countries
Potential shift of production to emerging markets with lower costs, such as Ethiopia
2022
The European Union introduced stricter sustainability and traceability requirements for cotton textiles, mandating detailed supply chain documentation and eco-labeling.
June 2023
Exporters to the EU must invest in compliance measures, potentially increasing costs but also opening opportunities for certified sustainable producers.
A revised trade agreement reduced tariffs on certain cotton fabric categories exported from China to the US, aiming to balance trade relations.
January 2023
Boosted Chinese exports to the US market, increasing competition for other exporters like India and Pakistan.
India launched the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme to boost domestic textile manufacturing and exports, focusing on value-added products like woven cotton fabrics.
September 2022
Expected to enhance Indiaโs competitiveness in the global market, potentially increasing its trade volume share.