During the first eight months of ****, textile exports eased by * per cent to $*** million. Over the same period, exports of other manufactured textile articles increased by **.* per cent, totalling $**.* million, as reported in the Central Bank**;s publication External Sector Performance – August ****. Weaker textile exports reflected slower regional fabric demand, while value-added segments like accessories gained momentum.

Combined exports of textiles, garments, and other manufactured textile articles accounted for **.** per cent of all industrial exports from Sri Lanka during the eight-month period. Total textile product exports amounted to $*,***.* million between January and August ****, while the country’s overall industrial exports were valued at $*,***.* million for the same period.

ICE cotton futures again lost momentum and closed lower as a stronger US dollar discouraged cotton buying, making the commodity costlier for overseas purchasers. Additionally, market participants are assessing the implications of the ongoing US government shutdown, which has disrupted the release of key agricultural data.

ICE December cotton futures settled at 64.47 cents per pound, down 0.44 cents or 0.70 per cent.

ICE cotton futures extended losses as a stronger US dollar dampened overseas demand, and the ongoing US government shutdown halted key USDA data releases.
December futures settled at 64.47 cents per pound, down 0.70 per cent.
Meanwhile, China’s NDRC announced 2026 cotton import quotas of 894,000 tons, balancing domestic supply through flexible allocation between state and non-state trade.

The US Dollar Index climbed to a two-month high, making dollar-denominated cotton futures relatively more expensive for buyers using other currencies. The strong dollar continues to act as a dominant factor suppressing cotton’s upward momentum.

Trading volumes remained moderate as investors monitored currency movements and the impact of the government shutdown. Data from ICE showed that as of October 8, deliverable stocks under ICE’s No. 2 cotton futures contract stood at 16,471 bales, down from 17,891 bales the previous day—reflecting a modest drawdown in certified inventories.

Market analysts noted that cotton has been moving almost exactly opposite to the dollar over the past few weeks, a trend expected to continue. As long as the dollar remains strong, cotton prices are unlikely to rise significantly.

In addition to currency effects, traders are evaluating the impact of the US government shutdown, which has halted the release of key agricultural data from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

According to the USDA’s official website, due to the shutdown, the department will suspend publication of its monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report until further notice. The WASDE report is a vital source of market insight into global cotton demand, production, and ending stocks.

The USDA’s weekly Crop Progress and Export Sales reports have also been temporarily suspended, limiting access to up-to-date market information for traders and analysts.

Meanwhile, on the global front, China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) has released detailed regulations governing cotton import tariff quotas for 2026. The total quota has been set at 894,000 tons, with 33 per cent allocated to state-owned trade and the remaining 67 per cent available for non-state trade.

According to the NDRC notice published by the Securities Times, the allocation rules allow enterprises to determine trade methods independently, without restrictions on import mechanisms or timing. This policy aims to enhance flexibility in cotton import management while maintaining balance in domestic market supply.

In summary, the ICE cotton market on October 9 remained under pressure from a strengthening US dollar and the absence of key USDA data amid the government shutdown, leading to a downward close for December futures.

Currently, ICE cotton for December 2025 is trading at 64.38 cents per pound (down 0.09 cent), cash cotton at 61.97 cents (down 0.44 cent), the March 2026 contract at 66.25 cents (down 0.09 cent), the May 2026 contract at 67.62 cents (down 0.04 cent), the July 2026 contract at 68.75 cents (down  0.08 cent) and the October 2026 contract at 68.39 cents (down 0.30 cent). A few contracts remained at their previous closing levels, with no trading recorded today.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)

Sports and fashion have always made good team mates when it comes to collaborations so it’s no surprise that three of them have arrived at the retail/promotional turnstiles at once.

So let’s start with a re-energised Topman that sees the menswear brand partnering with the NFL’s New York Jets bringing together “style, sport, and culture in an exciting new collaboration”.

Fronting the campaign are Jets standout starting players Andre Cisco and Will McDonald who were styled by Jay Tagle in their ‘Topman Game Day’ outfits that “fuse London’s sharp tailoring and creative edge with bold New York attitude”.

Designed in London, the collection features a mix of precision tailoring, layered streetwear, and contemporary utility pieces, showcasing Topman’s signature modern aesthetic. 

And timing is everything in sport: the Jets are playing in London this weekend, and the debut collection of the Topman x New York Jets Edit arrives now on Topshop.com.

Moses Rashid, global marketing director at Topshop & Topman, said: “London and New York have a dynamic energy and spirit that we’re capturing with this partnership. This marks an exciting step for Topman as we continue to connect with audiences through culture, creativity, and collaboration.”

Next comes top-of-the-table Premiership football club Arsenal launching a limited-edition collection with London-based fashion brand A-Cold-Wall, marking its first partnership with a football club, and the London club’s second ever independent streetwear collection.

The 22-piece collection features a number of fashion staples including jackets, tracksuits, trousers, caps, beanies, polo shirts, tees and hoodies as well as a number of accessories including scarves, socks and a ‘Gunnersaurus’ model, featuring the A-Cold-Wall x Arsenal Derby kit.

Heritage references are seen across garment dyed pieces for a fade-out effect, while other items from the collection feature layered dye sublimation prints and hi-build textures. 

Launching alongside the collection is a campaign film that explores “two worlds colliding in north London”. It stars men’s and women’s first team players, Bukayo Saka, William Saliba, Declan Rice, Olivia Smith, Martin Odegaard, Kyra Cooney-Cross and Taylor Hinds, while Ethan Nwaneri and Katie McCabe also feature in stylised campaign imagery. 

A-Cold-Wall said the collaboration’s “rooted in Arsenal’s storied heritage deconstructed and recontextualised through [our] industrial lens… this partnership sees traditional house codes reshaped with a contemporary edge”.

Meanwhile, NFL team Chicago Bears have also teamed up with London-based artist Christian Jeffery to unveil a hand-painted, bespoke jersey to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Bears’ 1985 Super Bowl win. This marks the first-ever collaboration between an NFL team and a fine artist in the international art and retail space, we’re told.

The exclusive artwork, titled ‘Flowers On The Fridge’, takes centre stage at OOF Gallery, Tottenham, across 10-12 October, headlining the exhibition and “offering fans a new way to celebrate one of the Bears’ most storied teams”.

Known for his research-led approach that merges “sport, culture, and design”, Jeffery draws on themes of “heritage, fandom, and design history”, so he worked closely with Chicago Bears archive to recreate William ‘The Refrigerator’ Perry’s original jersey in 100% silk to match the exact dimensions worn during the game.