Emerging technologies such as blockchain are starting to enable greater transparency into apparel supply chains, particularly for fibres such as cashmere where verifying the source of the raw material remains a challenge, according to GlobalData. Growing demand from the fashion industry for cashmere wool, derived from cashmere and pashmina goats, has led to its production on a much wider scale, posing both environmental and animal welfare challenges. In particular, over-grazing means fragile grasslands are fast turning into deserts. Mongolia is the second-largest global supplier of raw cashmere after China, with the two countries responsible for 90% of the world’s cashmere production. In addition to the rapid degradation of grazing lands, many herders face income instability and uncertainty and are often indebted to intermediaries for cash advances. There have also been allegations by animal rights groups of the abuse of goats on cashmere farms.
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