China: Cotton Lint Market 2023

Cotton Lint Market Size in China

The Chinese cotton lint market stood at $X in 2021, rising by 2.8% against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, saw a perceptible downturn. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Cotton Lint Production in China

In value terms, cotton lint production rose notably to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, showed a perceptible slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the production volume increased by 35%. Cotton lint production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

In 2021, the average cotton lint yield in China shrank to X tons per ha, which is down by -2.8% on the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, the yield indicated a pronounced increase from 2012 to 2021: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +4.2% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, cotton lint yield increased by +79.9% against 2017 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the yield increased by 56%. Over the period under review, the average cotton lint yield reached the maximum level at X tons per ha in 2020, and then contracted in the following year. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2021, the harvested area of cotton lint in China rose modestly to X ha, increasing by 3.1% against the year before. In general, the harvested area, however, recorded a perceptible descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 44% against the previous year. As a result, the harvested area reached the peak level of X ha. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of the cotton lint harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Cotton Lint Exports

Exports from China

Cotton lint exports from China surged to X tons in 2021, growing by 97% against 2020. In general, exports, however, recorded a abrupt slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 178%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, cotton lint exports soared to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, saw a abrupt setback. The exports peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Vietnam (X tons) was the main destination for cotton lint exports from China, accounting for a 72% share of total exports. Moreover, cotton lint exports to Vietnam exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Thailand (X tons), fourfold. Indonesia (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 7.9% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to Vietnam stood at +26.7%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Thailand (+21.7% per year) and Indonesia (+4.9% per year).

In value terms, Vietnam ($X) remains the key foreign market for cotton lint exports from China, comprising 74% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Thailand ($X), with a 15% share of total exports. It was followed by Indonesia, with a 7.8% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to Vietnam totaled +30.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Thailand (+20.0% per year) and Indonesia (+6.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average cotton lint export price amounted to $X per ton, surging by 52% against the previous year. Over the last nine-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.2%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was South Korea ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Thailand ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to South Korea (+8.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Cotton Lint Imports

Imports into China

In 2021, supplies from abroad of cotton lint decreased by -0.7% to X tons for the first time since 2016, thus ending a four-year rising trend. Overall, imports saw a deep reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 36% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, cotton lint imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. In general, imports recorded a deep setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 45% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

The United States (X tons), Brazil (X tons) and India (X tons) were the main suppliers of cotton lint imports to China, with a combined 88% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Brazil (with a CAGR of +6.5%), while imports for the other leaders experienced a decline.

In value terms, the United States ($X), Brazil ($X) and India ($X) constituted the largest cotton lint suppliers to China, with a combined 87% share of total imports.

In terms of the main suppliers, Brazil, with a CAGR of +4.5%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced a decline.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average cotton lint import price amounted to $X per ton, rising by 16% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, saw a noticeable slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 16% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, the countries with the highest prices were Australia ($X per ton) and Uzbekistan ($X per ton), while the price for Brazil ($X per ton) and India ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Uzbekistan (-0.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform

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