Explore Cotton

Many international brands have produced their best t-shirts and polos in Peru, using Pima Cotton. From Lacoste, Armani, and Ralph Lauren to relatively new brands like Vineyard Vines, PsychBunny as well as athleisure wear brands such as Lululemon, there is a shared appreciation for the fine quality of this natural extra-long fiber. Pima is actually the name of an American tribe to which researchers gave a special cotton to help them forge economic independence. Those experts chose a species originally from Peru and were able to improve it using NON-GMO practices. When the new variety was brought back to Peru, it grew even better than in Arizona…

Additionally, Peru had a cotton researcher that came with a special variety: Tangüis.

This cotton has a quite good long fiber, dyes particularly well, is cheaper than Pima and is more common in Peru. Both species are regarded as much better fibers than normal international cotton. Some new varieties of extra-long fiber have been installed in Peru and some native colored and organics cottons are being fostered.

The advantage for Peruvian manufacturers is the integrated industry from cultivated and spinning to finished garments as well as the free trade agreement with the US. The tariffs are higher for synthetics, so Peru has also begun to export performance garments and fabrics in different blends with special qualities.

Export data

Peruvian exports of garments and textile reached in 2019 $ 1.3 billion, of which $ 698 million was delivered into the US. The most exported products were t-shirts with $ 166 million and polo boxes with $ 126 million.

Key exporters

Key Peruvian apparel exporters are Devanlay Peru ($ 79 millon), Southern Textile ($56 million), Textil Camones ($ 56 million), Industrias Nettalco ($ 50 million), Topy Top ($ 49 million) and Inca Tops ($50 million).

Refer to www.perumarketplace.com for B2B contacts.

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