Indian manufacturers call for cotton export ban as prices rocket
India’s textiles minister Piyush Goyal has led a meeting in Mumbai to placate textiles manufacturers after the price of cotton soared.
Local press reported that mills in the southern province of Tamil Nadu went on strike this month over a policy to export cotton, when they are struggling to access it themselves.
Mr Goyal said: "The spinning and trading community should ensure a hassle free supply of cotton and yarn first to the domestic industry and only surplus cotton and yarn should be diverted for exports.”
He added the government will form a cotton council and a cotton advisory board with representation from the textiles ministry, agriculture, agricultural research, commerce and finance to address the situation.
Tamil Nadu Spinning Mills Association said spinning mills have been forced to switch over to blended yarns to manage the prices and clothing manufacturers said orders are being delayed.
