Imported fabrics go scarce in city’s markets

Imported unstitched fabric has become scarce in the city's markets due to several reasons, including poor economic conditions, rising inflation, and ongoing crackdown on smuggled fabrics by the Customs Department. Currently, only the affluent class can afford imported unstitched men's fabric available at expensive stores in the posh areas of the metropolitan city.

This Ramazan, shopkeepers and traders have reported a 40% decrease in the sales of unstitched men's fabrics. They say that customers prefer to buy inexpensive ready-made dresses. High cost of living and neck-breaking inflation are the main reasons behind the drop in sales and changes in trends. This has dampened Eid shopping in the city's markets where the number of shoppers this year is comparatively low.

Trader Eid Gul has witnessed a 40% decline in the sales of unstitched men's fabric. "Currently, imports of unstitched men's fabrics from various countries are banned which have caused a hike in demand for locally produced fabrics," he told The Express Tribune.

He said that young men prefer cotton from Faisalabad mills as it is affordable. "Unstitched cotton fabric is available anywhere between Rs1,200 and Rs4,500 per suit," he added. However, wash-n-wear is popular among the middle-aged and elderly people. "A wash-and-wear suit is available in the range of Rs1,400 and 5,500," he said.

According to Gul, the demand for waistcoat fabrics does not change during Eid shopping. The business and moneyed class wears waistcoats with shalwar-kameez. "Unstitched waistcoat fabrics can cost you anywhere from Rs1,500 to Rs4,500 or even more, depending on the variety and quality," he said.

Gul said that the kurta-pyjama sales have dropped as inflation-hit people prefer to purchase ready-made dresses in summer and its fabric is produced in Faisalabad which can cost you up to Rs2,000. He went on to add that children like to wear soft cotton dresses, which can cost anywhere between Rs1,500 and 2,500 apiece.

People are buying affordable ready-made shalwar-kameez for Eid. Those who wear shalwar-kameez more frequently in daily life typically don tailored suits. The lifespan of a ready-made shalwar-kameez suit is no longer than six months, although it may endure longer and is not readily torn.

According to Gul, philanthropists and charitable organizations purchase unstitched white cotton suits in bulk to distribute among madrassa students. "We give them discount since they buy in bulk," he said.

Gul further said that the elite class purchases unstitched, premium cotton and wash-n-wear fabric and have it stitched from tailors, which could cost them more than Rs10,000.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 6^th, 2023.