Is there a hint of optimism in the air? We think there is—and it’s very welcome after the challenges of last year.
As a quick recap, 2024 brought a record number of textile plant closures across the country. In our own supply chain alone, we saw four partners shut their doors.
So when we met with several of our suppliers over the past couple of weeks to prepare for 2026, we were eager to hear how they were feeling about business.
“We’re busy.”
“We’re wide open.”
That is AMAZING news—and exactly why Red Land Cotton exists.
Our Mission: Reviving American Textiles
Almost ten years ago, my father and I launched Red Land Cotton with a simple but powerful mission: to help revitalize the American textile industry.
Since then, we’ve watched many of our partners double their workforces, we’ve become one of their largest customers, and we’ve even built two cut-and-sew facilities of our own.
Every sheet, towel, and quilt we produce represents a commitment to keeping American cotton—and American craftsmanship—alive.
Why the Renewed Optimism?
Much of the hope we’re seeing centers around the Trump administration’s tariff policies. Several of our partner mills shared the same story: on “Liberation Day,” they were flooded with calls and inquiries.
But when some of those heavy tariffs were rolled back, confusion set in. Panic buying and an influx of cheap goods followed during the “negotiation” period.
Still, there’s reason for hope. Many companies are now re-evaluating their global supply chains and seeking ways to reduce dependence on imports. That renewed interest in U.S. manufacturing is music to our ears.
The Challenge of Sourcing American-Made
In our experience, many large-brand buyers simply aren’t used to piecing together supply chains. That’s one reason sourcing within the American textile system can feel difficult—there are few vertically integrated mills left.
But the resources do exist here. It just takes more work, more creativity, and more commitment to find them.
And there’s more help on the horizon. Bills like the Buy American Cotton Initiative have farmers hopeful, offering potential financial incentives for mills to consume American-grown cotton right here at home.
The Numbers Tell the Story
To understand the scale of global trade, let’s look at the data:
- 🇮🇳 India exported about $6 billion worth of home textiles to the U.S. in 2024
- 🇨🇳 China exported between $8–9 billion
- 🇵🇰 Pakistan exported between $3–4 billion
Meanwhile, the United States exported $6.18 billion worth of cotton in 2024—approximately 14.4 million 480-pound bales, according to the USDA’s final estimate released in May 2025.
Just imagine if more of that cotton stayed right here—spun, woven, and sewn into American-made bedding and towels.
What One Bale of Cotton Can Create
From a single bale of cotton, you can produce approximately:
- 🛏️ 70 sets of sheets
- 🧺 85 blankets
- 🕊️ 125 throw blankets
- 🌾 55 quilts
That’s the power and potential sitting right in our fields every season.
Staying the Course
We’re more committed than ever to reviving and rebuilding the U.S. textile supply chain—whether or not government support comes our way.
This mission matters deeply to us, and we’re so thankful that you are part of it.
Thank you for reading, for believing, and for supporting Made in the USA products. For now—and always—we’re choosing to stay optimistic.
With gratitude,
Anna Yeager Brakefield
Co-Founder, Red Land Cotton