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Rise In Prohibited Cotton Enters Western Supply Chains

May 21, 2026

2 min read

Key Takeaways

Prohibited cotton in Western supply chains has increased.
13% of tested garments contained restricted cotton.
90% of brands showed exposure in at least one item.

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Strategic Implications

This rise may indicate systemic issues in global supply chains, suggesting that brands' reliance on documentation and paperwork is insufficient to ensure compliance, and could lead to increased regulatory pressure and consumer distrust.

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What Happened

Growing Trade Disruption And Shifting Manufacturing Routes Expose Brands

A recent report by Oritain indicates a rise in prohibited cotton entering Western supply chains, linked to growing trade disruption and shifting manufacturing routes. The company’s forensic sampling programme found that 13% of tested items contained raw materials sourced from restricted regions, up from 6% the previous year. This increase suggests a widening gap between documentation and truth in global sourcing, with 90% of brands tested showing exposure in at least one item of clothing. According to Retail Gazette, this issue may be systemic rather than confined to individual firms, with regulatory pressure and consumer distrust on the rise.

Source

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