An analysis of cotton product competitiveness in the top ten cotton product exporters to the United States using the environmental analysis framework

This study examined important environmental factors influencing the cotton export performance in the current top ten cotton suppliers to the United States, including Mexico, China, India, Honduras, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Indonesia, and Guatemala, using Austins Environmental Analysis Framework (EAF). The research used secondary data collected from various government sources with a 26 year time period from 1974 to 2000. The results indicate that three variables, GNP, exchange rates, and roads, have significant positive impacts on U.S. cotton import volume; while tariff rates have significant negative impacts on U.S. cotton import volume. This study also examined trend and changes of U.S. cotton imports. The findings have important managerial implication to U.S. cotton importers and retailers, and for the ten cotton exporting countries.