Global cashmere market could be confronted with a slowdown, Dawson's chairman said at annual general meeting of the UK's group. «The cyclical nature of the cashmere industry makes it unlikely that last year's exceptional sales volumes and margins can be sustained », explained Ian Irvine. Due to very high price levels for cashmere products and a slowdown in the US economy, demand is expected to globally soften, he asserted.
On the other hand, cashmere prices are currently supported by fears of supply issues, since north east Mongolia was confronted with a fierce winter. Mongolia is by far world's largest producer of cashmere hair. Dawson expects «both volume and sales value to decline against last year», its chairman added. The group intends becoming world market leader thanks to its brand Ballantyne.