Which Country Exports the Most Cotton Yarn in the World?

Textile Fibres May 28, 2018

Blog Blog / Textiles, Apparel And Leather Goods / Textile Fibres

Author: Anna Sergeeva

PositionMarket Analyst

In 2016, the global cotton yarn exports amounted to 361K tonnes, declining by -24.6% against the previous year figure. Overall, it indicated a notable growth from 2007 to 2016: the total exports volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2010, when it surged by 18% year-to-year. Global cotton yarn export peaked of 478K tonnes in 2015, falling back in the following year.

In value terms, cotton yarn exports amounted to $1.5B in 2016. Overall, it indicated a prominent increase from 2007 to 2016: the total exports value increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. Based on the result of 2016, cotton yarn exports decreased by -21.6% against its level of 2013. Global cotton yarn export peaked of $1.9B in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2016, it stood at a somewhat lower level.

Top Cotton Yarn Exporting Countries in the World

1. China (448.0 million USD)

2. China, Hong Kong SAR (236.5 million USD)

3. USA (112.5 million USD)

4. Indonesia (91.8 million USD)

5. Turkey (52.6 million USD)

6. India (52.4 million USD)

7. Thailand (47.9 million USD)

8. Spain (40.5 million USD)

Cotton Yarn Exports By Country

In 2016, China (119K tonnes) was the major exporter for cotton yarn, creating 33% of total exports. China, Hong Kong SAR (48K tonnes) ranks second globally in cotton yarn exports with a 13% share, following Indonesia (12%), Turkey (8%), Thailand (5%), the U.S. (5%), Spain (5%), and India (5%).

From 2007 to 2016, average annual rates of growth with regard to cotton yarn exports from China stood at +7.4%. At the same time, Turkey (+15.9%), India (+14.7%), Thailand (+12.8%), and Indonesia (+6.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Turkey emerged as the fastest growing importer/exporter in the world, with a CAGR of +15.9% from 2007-2016. By contrast, the U.S. (-2.3%), China, Hong Kong SAR (-3.2%), and Spain (-3.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2007 to 2016, the share of China, Hong Kong SAR, and Spain increased by 5%, and 2% percentage points, while India (-3.3%), Thailand (-3.4%), Indonesia (-5.3%), Turkey (-5.6%), and China (-15.7%) saw their share reduced. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest cotton yarn markets worldwide were China ($448M), China, Hong Kong SAR ($237M) and the U.S. ($113M), with a combined 54% share of global exports.Indonesia, Turkey, India, Thailand and Spain lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 19%.

Turkey (+12.2% per year) recorded the highest growth rate of cotton yarn exports, among the main exporting countries, over the last 9 years, while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Cotton Yarn Export Prices By Country

In 2016, the average export price for cotton yarn amounted to $4,078 per tonne, going up by 22% against the previous year. Over the period from 2007 to 2016 it increased at an average annual rate of +2.3%.The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016, an increase of 22% against the previous year level. Global cotton yarn export peaked of $4,532 per tonne in 2011; however, from 2012 to 2016, it failed to regain its strength.

There were significant differences in the average export prices amongst major exporting countries. In 2016, the country with the highest export prices was the U.S. ($6,458 per tonne), while Turkey ($1,900 per tonne) was among the lowest.

From 2007 to 2016, the most notable growth rate of cotton yarn export prices was attained by the U.S. (+10.6% per year), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Do you want to know more about global cotton yarn market? Get the latest trends and insight from our report. It includes a wide range of statistics on