Eight U.S. Cotton Producers Join COTTON USA Delegation to Latin America
The delegation traveled to Mexico, Honduras and Peru from July 18-23 to meet with representatives from the local textile and apparel industries. The purpose of the trip was to reinforce the U.S. cotton industry's commitment to supplying this region with cotton fiber and value added products. U.S. cotton fiber and textile trade with Mexico, the CBI Region, and Andean Region totaled about 4.7 million bales in 2008/09. The itinerary included briefings from CCI and Cotton Incorporated; overviews of the Mexican, CBI, Honduran, Andean and Peruvian textile and apparel industries; and tours of COTTON USA licensed mills as well as a knitting and sewing plant.
Meetings with the Mexican textile industry in Mexico City covered the cotton textile environment in Mexico and NAFTA, textile trade policy issues within the Western Hemisphere, as well as information sharing between U.S. and Mexican cotton growers. The group also toured a textile mill outside of Mexico City to learn more about how U.S. cotton is processed and to identify ways that U.S. cotton can remain competitive as a supplier.
In Honduras, the delegation met with leaders of that country's textile and apparel industry. Delegation members learned how the regional free trade agreement has helped the Central American industry grow as a textile and apparel sourcing origin, and as a market for U.S. cotton via yarn and textiles. The delegation toured Gildan's knitting and sewing plant near San Pedro Sula, where delegation members witnessed socks being knitted, processed and packaged with the COTTON USA trademark for distribution in the U.S. market.
The delegation's final stop was Lima, Peru, which gave members an opportunity to see the impact of various Andean Region trade agreements on the business complex and assess the future outlook for U.S. cotton and products in the region. The Peruvian Cotton Institute presented the current Peruvian cotton crop situation, research developments and outlook. To round out the visit, the delegation visited Topy Top S.A. and Compañía Industrial Nuevo Mundo S.A., two of the largest mills in the Andean Region.
back to top
CCI, Cotton Incorporated and the COTTON USA Sourcing Program Sponsor Western Hemisphere Sourcing Fair in Mexico
In pursuit of stronger business within the region, the COTTON USA Sourcing Program brought together 11 U.S. mills, ten uniform retailers, eight fashion retailers and 44 apparel manufacturing companies from Mexico and the Andean and Central American regions for the Sourcing Fair. The event included a conference session with a panel of experts who addressed important textile and apparel trade issues such as: the cotton price situation, the relevance of sustainability for the textile industry and U.S. market outlook and trends. The conference benefited from presentations by Alston & Bird LLP, International Development Systems, Yiyang Trading LLC, Wakelyn Associates, LLC and the O'Rourke Group Partners. Following the seminar, participating U.S. mills and retailers met with CBI, Mexican and Andean textile and apparel executives in private meetings to discuss business opportunities. Some 700 individual meetings took place, resulting in an efficient and productive Sourcing Fair. Cotton Incorporated supported the event with a mini-stand, presenting cotton product developments.
back to top
COTTON USA Sourcing Program Participates in the Apparel Sourcing Show
Nine U.S. textile mills were showcased as part of the COTTON USA Sourcing Program during the event in Guatemala City. U.S. mills were featured in the show's directory, displayed throughout the show and on bags given to each attendee. CCI presented five fashion shows at its stand featuring garments from regional manufacturers that source their yarns and fabrics from the U.S. Two private events took place, one with Korean textile and garment makers, in an effort to strengthen the relationships between U.S. mills and the important Korean business community in Central America. The second event included several key companies from Central America, and nine U.S. companies took part in the COTTON USA Pavilion: Antex Knitting Mills, Buhler Quality Yarns Corp.; Carolina Cotton Works, Inc.; Contempora Fabrics; Frontier Spinning Mills, Inc.; Hamrick Mills, Inc.; Parkdale; Tuscarora Yarns, Inc.; and Zagis USA.
back to top
COTTON USA Sourcing Program Featured at Apparel Sourcing Show
2009 (May)
Nine U.S. textile mills were showcased as part of the COTTON USA Sourcing Program during the event held in Guatemala City. U.S. mills were featured in the show’s directory, on banners that were displayed throughout the show’s floor and on bags given to each attendee. CCI also presented five fashion shows at its stand featuring garments from regional manufacturers that source their yarns and fabrics from the U.S. Several TV stations and newspapers covered the fashion shows and interviewed CCI’s Regional Manager. Two private receptions took place, one with Korean textile and garment makers, in an effort to strengthen the relationships between U.S. mills and the important Korean business community in Central America. The second reception was with several key companies from Central America and the U.S. Nine U.S. companies took part in the COTTON USA Pavilion: Buhler Quality Yarns Corp.; Carolina Cotton Works, Inc.; Clovertex Tex LLC; Contempora Fabrics; Frontier Spinning Mills, Inc.; Hamrick Mills, Inc.; Parkdale; Tuscarora Yarns, Inc.; and Zagis USA.
back to top
