Synthetic Fibers Surpass Cotton to Dominate U.S. Apparel Imports

U.S. imports of synthetic apparel this year have overtaken cotton garments for the first time in decades, according to the latest U.S. government data, confirming the cotton industry's fears that cotton is losing the battle to manmade fibers. An industry group this week called on members at a conference to renew their focus on boosting overall cotton demand, at a time when falling prices and demand worries have heightened competition among key cotton producers. Total U.S. apparel imports year-to-date were up 3 percent from a year earlier, U.S. government data showed. Synthetic imports were up nearly 9 percent from September 2013.