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Notes from the field

All articles, newest first.

Stat graphic: 17.4%, Bangladesh's third fuel price hike this year, layered on an ongoing gas and power shortage
September 28, 2026

Bangladesh's fuel price hike lands on an already-strained garment sector

 Stat graphic: Pakistan's GSP+ re-application deadline is the end of 2028, not 2027
September 22, 2026

What actually happens to Pakistan's GSP+ in 2027

 Cover: most people assume Made in Egypt means Egyptian cotton, but Egypt exports raw cotton to India and imports its yarn from India too
September 20, 2026

Most people assume 'Made in Egypt' means Egyptian cotton.

 Stat graphic: more than 50% of the cotton in Pakistani yarn and fabric is imported, September 2026
September 14, 2026

Pakistan imports more than half its cotton. The price follows the world market.

 Stat graphic: Bangladesh RMG exports up 13.9% year on year in August 2026, down 6.3% from July
September 7, 2026

Bangladesh's August exports were up 13.9%. Down 6.3% from July.

 Stat graphic: Indian yarn imports up 137% in the first six months of Bangladesh's land-port ban meant to cut them
August 31, 2026

Bangladesh banned Indian yarn at the border. Imports doubled anyway.

 Stat graphic: Pakistan's transporters' strike cost an estimated $900 million in export losses, before a tariff dispute reached the Prime Minister's desk
August 24, 2026

Pakistan lost $900M to a strike. Then a tariff fight went to the PM's desk.

 Stat graphic: Turkish-made garments estimated 60% pricier than East Asian equivalents, plus a 12.5% US tariff with no duty-free quota unlike Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia or Malaysia
August 17, 2026

Turkey isn't just losing on price. Now it's losing on tariffs too.

 Stat graphic: nearly 50% of US fashion brands plan to cut their supplier count in the next two years
August 16, 2026

US brands are cutting suppliers. They're not leaving Asia.

 Stat graphic: Pakistan readymade garment exports reach $4.18 billion in FY26
August 10, 2026

Pakistan's garment exports just hit a record. Its textile sector didn't move.

 Diagram of EU GSP Group III material sources flowing into Sri Lanka
August 3, 2026

How Sri Lanka keeps its EU duty-free access

 Circular knitting machine in operation
August 2, 2026

Bangladesh is automating ahead of a deadline that just moved

 Aerial view of a container terminal
July 27, 2026

The new US forced-labour tariffs are widening South Asia's edge

 EU flag over folded garments
July 20, 2026

The EU ban on destroying unsold stock — and what it doesn't fix

 EU and India trade route illustration
July 16, 2026

The EU–India trade deal is about to change sourcing math