Surat in Gujarat is one of the largest man-made fabric (MMF) industries in India and a leading supplier to the southern states. However, recent heavy rains and flood situation in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu adversely impacted the business prospects since most of the orders getting cancelled.
The buyers in Tamil Nadu source saris and dress materials and other polyester fabrics for Pongal festival celebrated on January 14 in the southern states every year. The orders are placed after the end of Diwali festival. Industry estimates suggest that around 25 per cent of traders in MMF wholesale market from Surat supply fabrics, including saris and dress materials to the southern states of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh around October-November every year.
According to the Chairman of textile committee of Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce & Industry Devkishan Manghani, Chennai being lead importer of polyester fabrics from Surat, wholesale traders from the region were looking forward to their yearly business deals however heavy rains have made a negative impact leaving them worried about the business.
There are over 65,000 textile shops located in some 150-odd textile markets in Surat. The daily turnover of the textile goods is said to be around Rs 110 crores and weak demand from the southern states has led to a decline in pre-Diwali business of almost 35 per cent.
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