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China - Cotton Lint - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights
Report Update: Jun 1, 2025

China - Cotton Lint - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights

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Apr 6, 2023

Cotton Lint Prices Average $2,853/Ton in China as 3% Drop Continues for Second Month

China Cotton Lint Import Price in December 2022

In December 2022, the cotton lint price amounted to $2,853 per ton (CIF, China), waning by -2.9% against the previous month. Over the last twelve months, it increased at an average monthly rate of +1.9%. The growth pace was the most rapid in January 2022 when the average import price increased by 8.5% m-o-m. The import price peaked at $3,076 per ton in October 2022; however, from November 2022 to December 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major supplying countries. In December 2022, the highest price was recorded for prices from the United States ($3,160 per ton) and India ($2,767 per ton), while the price for Australia ($2,515 per ton) and Brazil ($2,764 per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From December 2021 to December 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+2.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

China Cotton Lint Imports

In December 2022, after two months of growth, there was decline in supplies from abroad of cotton lint, when their volume decreased by -4.1% to 171K tons. In general, total imports indicated modest growth from December 2021 to December 2022: its volume increased at an average monthly rate of +1.9% over the last twelve-month period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on December 2022 figures, imports increased by +92.7% against September 2022 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in January 2022 with an increase of 67% month-to-month. As a result, imports reached the peak of 228K tons. From February 2022 to December 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cotton lint imports shrank to $487M (IndexBox estimates) in December 2022. Overall, total imports indicated perceptible growth from December 2021 to December 2022: its value increased at an average monthly rate of +3.8% over the last twelve-month period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on December 2022 figures, imports increased by +83.8% against September 2022 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in January 2022 when imports increased by 81% against the previous month. As a result, imports attained the peak of $562M. From February 2022 to December 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

China Cotton Lint Imports by Country

In December 2022, Brazil (114K tons) constituted the largest cotton lint supplier to China, accounting for a 67% share of total imports. Moreover, cotton lint imports from Brazil exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, the United States (48K tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was held by Australia (6.1K tons), with a 3.6% share.

From December 2021 to December 2022, the average monthly rate of growth in terms of volume from Brazil totaled +2.3%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average monthly rates of imports growth: the United States (+6.8% per month) and Australia (+12.3% per month).

In value terms, Brazil ($316M) constituted the largest supplier of cotton lint to China, comprising 65% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United States ($151M), with a 31% share of total imports. It was followed by Australia, with a 3.2% share.

From December 2021 to December 2022, the average monthly rate of growth in terms of value from Brazil stood at +4.1%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average monthly rates of imports growth: the United States (+9.6% per month) and Australia (+11.7% per month).

China Cotton Price Drops Following Two Months of Declines

The cotton lint price in China recently experienced a 3% drop, settling to an average of $2,853 per ton. This marks a decrease following two months of successive drops in price. Analysts have attributed this dip to several contributing factors, including dwindling demand from large overseas markets, an increases in the cost of domestic labor, and a higher cost of premiums for using better-quality yarn. These factors, when combined, created an unfavorable environment for the cotton industry which resulted in the lower rate of return on the market. Industry observers are keeping a close eye on the market to gauge the potential of a price recovery as the year progresses.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the cotton lint market in China. Within it, you will discover the latest data on market trends and opportunities by country, consumption, production and price developments, as well as the global trade (imports and exports). The forecast exhibits the market prospects through 2030.

Product coverage:

  • FCL 767 - Cotton Lint
  • FCL 328 - [Seed Cotton]

Country coverage:

Data coverage:

  • Market volume and value
  • Per Capita consumption
  • Forecast of the market dynamics in the medium term
  • Trade (exports and imports) in China
  • Export and import prices
  • Market trends, drivers and restraints
  • Key market players and their profiles

Reasons to buy this report:

  • Take advantage of the latest data
  • Find deeper insights into current market developments
  • Discover vital success factors affecting the market

This report is designed for manufacturers, distributors, importers, and wholesalers, as well as for investors, consultants and advisors.

In this report, you can find information that helps you to make informed decisions on the following issues:

  1. How to diversify your business and benefit from new market opportunities
  2. How to load your idle production capacity
  3. How to boost your sales on overseas markets
  4. How to increase your profit margins
  5. How to make your supply chain more sustainable
  6. How to reduce your production and supply chain costs
  7. How to outsource production to other countries
  8. How to prepare your business for global expansion

While doing this research, we combine the accumulated expertise of our analysts and the capabilities of artificial intelligence. The AI-based platform, developed by our data scientists, constitutes the key working tool for business analysts, empowering them to discover deep insights and ideas from the marketing data.

  1. 1. INTRODUCTION

    Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business

    1. REPORT DESCRIPTION
    2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND THE AI PLATFORM
    3. DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
    4. GLOSSARY AND SPECIFIC TERMS

  2. 2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

    A Quick Overview of Market Performance

    1. KEY FINDINGS
    2. MARKET TRENDS This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional EditionPRO

  3. 3. MARKET OVERVIEW

    Understanding the Current State of The Market and its Prospects

    1. MARKET SIZE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    2. MARKET STRUCTURE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    3. TRADE BALANCE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    4. PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    5. MARKET FORECAST TO 2035

  4. 4. MOST PROMISING PRODUCTS FOR DIVERSIFICATION

    Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business

    1. TOP PRODUCTS TO DIVERSIFY YOUR BUSINESS
    2. BEST-SELLING PRODUCTS
    3. MOST CONSUMED PRODUCTS
    4. MOST TRADED PRODUCTS
    5. MOST PROFITABLE PRODUCTS FOR EXPORTS

  5. 5. MOST PROMISING SUPPLYING COUNTRIES

    Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain

    1. TOP COUNTRIES TO SOURCE YOUR PRODUCT
    2. TOP PRODUCING COUNTRIES
    3. COUNTRIES WITH TOP YIELDS
    4. TOP EXPORTING COUNTRIES
    5. LOW-COST EXPORTING COUNTRIES

  6. 6. MOST PROMISING OVERSEAS MARKETS

    Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Export

    1. TOP OVERSEAS MARKETS FOR EXPORTING YOUR PRODUCT
    2. TOP CONSUMING MARKETS
    3. UNSATURATED MARKETS
    4. TOP IMPORTING MARKETS
    5. MOST PROFITABLE MARKETS

  7. 7. PRODUCTION

    The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry

    1. PRODUCTION VOLUME AND VALUE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)

  8. 8. IMPORTS

    The Largest Import Supplying Countries

    1. IMPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    2. IMPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)
    3. IMPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)

  9. 9. EXPORTS

    The Largest Destinations for Exports

    1. EXPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    2. EXPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)
    3. EXPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)

  10. 10. PROFILES OF MAJOR PRODUCERS

    The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles

  11. LIST OF TABLES

    1. Key Findings In 2024
    2. Market Volume, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    3. Market Value: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    4. Per Capita Consumption: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    5. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012-2024
    6. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012-2024
    7. Import Prices, By Country, 2012-2024
    8. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012-2024
    9. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012-2024
    10. Exports Prices, By Country, 2012-2024

  12. LIST OF FIGURES

    1. Market Volume, in Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    2. Market Value: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    3. Market Structure – Domestic Supply Vs. Imports, in Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    4. Market Structure – Domestic Supply Vs. Imports, in Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    5. Trade Balance, in Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    6. Trade Balance, in Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    7. Per Capita Consumption: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    8. Market Volume Forecast to 2035
    9. Market Value Forecast to 2035
    10. Market Size and Growth, by Product
    11. Average Per Capita Consumption, by Product
    12. Exports and Growth, by Product
    13. Export Prices and Growth, by Product
    14. Production Volume and Growth
    15. Yield and Growth
    16. Exports and Growth
    17. Export Prices and Growth
    18. Market Size and Growth
    19. Per Capita Consumption
    20. Imports and Growth
    21. Import Prices
    22. Production, in Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    23. Production, in Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    24. Harvested Area: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    25. Yield: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    26. Imports, in Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    27. Imports, in Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    28. Imports, in Physical Terms, by Country, 2024
    29. Imports, in Physical Terms, by Country, 2012-2024
    30. Imports, in Value Terms, by Country, 2012-2024
    31. Import Prices, by Country, 2012-2024
    32. Exports, in Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    33. Exports, in Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    34. Exports, in Physical Terms, by Country, 2024
    35. Exports, in Physical Terms, by Country, 2012-2024
    36. Exports, in Value Terms, by Country, 2012-2024
    37. Export Prices, by Country, 2012-2024

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