Extreme Heat Threatens Global Fashion Supply Chain, $65 Billion Export Decline Projected by 2030

According to Bloomberg on July 12, record-breaking heat across Asia is directly impacting global fashion supply chains and corporate profits. Extreme temperatures in India, Bangladesh, and Vietnam—where 70% of global clothing exports originate—are causing production delays and efficiency losses at factories that lack adequate cooling systems.

Cornell University's Global Labor Institute projects that sustained heat and flooding in these regions could reduce clothing exports by approximately $65 billion through 2030. Meanwhile, companies adopting long-term supply contracts and facility upgrades, such as Epic Group's newly operational factory in India's Odisha state, are gaining competitive advantage. The facility maintains interior temperatures of approximately 28°C even when external heat exceeds 34°C, directly improving worker productivity and output quality. Industry groups including the American Apparel and Footwear Association now recommend brands share climate adaptation costs with suppliers rather than shifting burden entirely to manufacturers.