Fashion
Sep 2025 US logistics manager index falls to lowest since Mar
The rate of expansion was more pronounced later in September, reading in at 60.5 during the second half of September – which was up significantly from the reading of 55.9 early in the month. The drop can be largely attributed to slowdowns in the expansion of supply chain costs.
The US logistics manager’s index (LMI) for September was 57.4, down by 1.9 points from August’s 59.3.
This is the lowest reading for the overall index since March this year.
The slowdown in logistics expansion is due to a declining rate of growth across the majority of the sub-metrics, with transportation utilisation down by 4.7 points to 50, which indicates no movement.
The LMI score is a combination of eight unique components that make up the logistics industry: inventory levels and costs, warehousing capacity, utilisation and prices, and transportation capacity, utilisation and prices.
Taken together, the three cost/price metrics were down 11.9 points in September, reading in at 195.66. This is the slowest rate of cost expansion since March and the second lowest in 2025.
The slowdown in logistics expansion is due to a declining rate of growth across the majority of the sub-metrics, with transportation utilisation down by 4.7 points to 50, which indicates no movement.
This is the first time a reading this low has been seen for transportation utilisation in September, which is generally a busy season in the freight market.
The slight negative freight inversion that began in August continued in September, with transportation prices dipping by 1.9 points to 54.2, which is just below 55.1 of transportation capacity (minus 2.2 points).
While transportation prices are still expanding, this is the lowest rate of growth tracked for this metric since April 2024, which was the last month of the most recent freight recession.
Inventory costs were high at 79.2.
Researchers at Arizona State University, Colorado State University, Florida Atlantic University, Rutgers University and the University of Nevada, Reno, and in conjunction with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) issued the LMI report.
This slowdown is reflective of uncertainty in the overall economy, an official release said.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
Fashion
North India cotton yarn steady despite continued push by spinners
The Delhi cotton yarn market remained stable, though demand from downstream industries was weak at elevated price levels. Garment demand in both domestic and export markets also remained sluggish. A trader from Delhi market told Fibre*Fashion, “Spinning mills are selling cotton yarn at an additional margin of at least ** per cent. They have a cushion of advance orders from other countries. Mills have export orders for the next *–* months, so they do not need to sell in the domestic market. They are selling cotton yarn domestically at higher prices than export realisations.”
In Delhi, ** count combed knitting yarn was traded at ****;***–*** (~$*.**–*.**) per kg (GST extra), while ** count combed yarn was priced at ****;***–*** (~$*.**–*.**) per kg. Meanwhile, ** count carded yarn was traded at ****;***–*** (~$*.**–*.**) per kg and ** count carded at ****;***–*** (~$*.**–*.**) per kg, according to market sources.
Fashion
Bangladesh, EU sign Partnership and Cooperation Agreement
Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman and EU High Representative and Vice President Kaja Kallas witnessed the initialling. Rahman was accompanied by Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir.
Bangladesh and the EU have initialled a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement in Brussels.
Dhaka termed it a forward-looking framework to elevate cooperation across political, economic, development and security domains.
Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman highlighted predictable market access as a priority and expressed Bangladesh’s interest in advancing talks on an FTA and an investment protection pact.
The PCA is a forward-looking framework to elevate cooperation across political, economic, development and security domains, the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry said in a release.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the longstanding partnership and expanding collaboration on regional and global issues.
They underscored the need to deepen cooperation in trade and investment, migration and mobility, regional collaboration and humanitarian affairs.
Rahman highlighted predictable market access as a priority and expressed Bangladesh’s interest in advancing negotiations on a free trade agreement and an investment protection agreement, according to a domestic news agency.
Rahman also met Belgium’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot, and both explored opportunities in trade, investment, connectivity, innovation and multilateral cooperation.
They agreed to hold the third Bangladesh-Belgium consultations in Brussels later this year.
Rahman welcomed more engagement by Belgian businesses in logistics, port management, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, technology and water management.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
Fashion
Vietnam-India seminar boosts textile, leather ties
The discussion brought together policymakers, trade bodies, research institutions and industry stakeholders from India and Vietnam, reflecting growing interest in building deeper bilateral engagement. Participants examined opportunities arising from supply chain diversification, sustainability mandates and the increasing role of digital transformation in manufacturing, according to Vietnamese media reports.
The Vietnam Trade Office in India held an online seminar to boost textile, footwear and leather collaboration amid shifting global supply chains.
Stakeholders highlighted complementary strengths, with Vietnam strong in garments and India in raw materials.
Discussions focused on silk cooperation, investment opportunities and technology exchange.
Upcoming trade fairs and exhibitions were also promoted.
Vietnam’s Trade Counsellor in India, Bui Trung Thuong, noted that both economies complement each other across the value chain. He highlighted Vietnam’s strength in garment production alongside India’s capabilities in raw materials and textiles, suggesting that closer cooperation could support the development of integrated and higher-value supply chains.
He added that the forum aims to encourage direct engagement between businesses and investors to unlock opportunities in technology adoption, investment and sustainable practices.
India’s silk sector emerged as a key area for collaboration. P Sivakumar, CEO of the Central Silk Board, outlined India’s strong research base and global standing in silk production. He identified scope for joint work in silkworm breeding, technology transfer and workforce development, while also pointing to opportunities in value-added applications beyond textiles, including cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. He further encouraged Vietnam’s participation in international sericulture platforms to deepen knowledge exchange.
From an investment standpoint, Invest India representative Aditya Das underscored India’s manufacturing ecosystem and policy support for foreign investors. He observed that complementary strengths between the two countries could drive partnerships in trade, joint ventures and integrated production networks.
Vietnamese representatives echoed interest in expanding technical cooperation. Nguyen Thi Nhai of the Vietnam Sericulture Research Centre emphasised the need for deeper collaboration in post-cocoon technologies, product innovation and training exchanges, while seeking greater institutional linkages with Indian counterparts.
The seminar also highlighted upcoming industry events aimed at fostering business connections. Vietnam will host the 26th International Shoes and Leather Exhibition in Ho Chi Minh City from July 8 to 10, while India’s Bharat Tex 2026 is scheduled for July 14 to 17 as a comprehensive global textile platform. Industry representatives also promoted sector-specific exhibitions such as Meet at Agra 2026 to encourage partnerships.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)
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