CHINA: High cotton prices strike textile industry

CHINA: High cotton prices strike textile industry

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With winter approaching it's time for winter apparel to hit the racks. Cotton prices have soared though, and this means we're in for a frosty season of spending as our wallets take the bite.

If you're looking for warm underwear in the super markets this winter, you're in for a cold surprise. This underwear is expensive - at 150 yuan a pop.

Chen Haili, Staff of Pufeng Lianhua Supermarket said "The price of cotton clothing this year is about 10 yuan higher in average than last year. This item is selling for up to 130 yuan while it sold for 110 yuan last year."

The price of cotton underwear has risen, but prices on winter coats and cotton socks have risen 20 percent too. This year, it's going to be hard to be fashionable.

Industry insiders say the bulk price for one ton of cotton is 26 thousand yuan and has risen by 80 percent from last year hitting an 11 years high. Manufacturer are making less profit margins. And it's the end consumer that's paying the ultimate price.

Xie Cheng'an, Director of Southern Bedroom Textile Co. Ltd. said "The price of cotton increases, and therefore, so does cotton related products. Our wholesale cost to manufacturers has increased by 25 to 30 percent."

Gao Qingfeng, Director of Shanghai Jiale Co. Ltd. said "It impacts our business a lot. especially our previous orders. It is very hard for us to renegociate prices with our clients. The new cotton prices have greatly reduced our profit."

Analysts say there are many reasons for the price influx.

One is that production in main growing areas like Xinjiang have been hard hit this year. The fluctuation of the Yuan has also impacted the Chinese textiles industry.

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