Asia-Pacific: Cotton Sewing Thread Market 2025

Cotton Sewing Thread Market Size in Asia-Pacific

In 2021, the Asia-Pacific cotton sewing thread market decreased by -1.5% to $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year rising trend. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2016 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Cotton Sewing Thread Production in Asia-Pacific

In value terms, cotton sewing thread production reached $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a notable expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.0% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production decreased by -1.8% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when the production volume increased by 38%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2016 to 2021, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Cotton Sewing Thread Exports

Exports in Asia-Pacific

In 2021, shipments abroad of cotton sewing thread increased by 11% to X tons, rising for the third year in a row after four years of decline. In general, exports, however, showed a perceptible descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 46%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, cotton sewing thread exports soared to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a slight shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when exports increased by 31%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

China was the main exporter of cotton sewing thread in Asia-Pacific, with the volume of exports accounting for X tons, which was approx. 44% of total exports in 2021. India (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 20% share, followed by Pakistan (18%) and Afghanistan (5.3%). The following exporters - Thailand (X tons), Hong Kong SAR (X tons) and South Korea (X tons) - each amounted to a 6.8% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to cotton sewing thread exports from China stood at -2.5%. At the same time, South Korea (+7.5%) and Thailand (+4.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, South Korea emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Asia-Pacific, with a CAGR of +7.5% from 2012-2021. By contrast, India (-1.6%), Hong Kong SAR (-6.6%), Pakistan (-6.6%) and Afghanistan (-42.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Afghanistan (+5.3 p.p.) and India (+1.6 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Pakistan saw its share reduced by -8.8% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($X), India ($X) and Pakistan ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, together comprising 82% of total exports. These countries were followed by Hong Kong SAR, Thailand, South Korea and Afghanistan, which together accounted for a further 11%.

Thailand, with a CAGR of +10.6%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Asia-Pacific amounted to $X per ton, growing by 5.6% against the previous year. Over the last nine-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.1%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the export price increased by 21% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Hong Kong SAR ($X per ton), while Afghanistan ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Thailand (+5.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Cotton Sewing Thread Imports

Imports in Asia-Pacific

Cotton sewing thread imports reduced to X tons in 2021, waning by -13.9% against the year before. In general, imports showed a abrupt descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 28% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, cotton sewing thread imports declined to $X in 2021. Overall, imports recorded a noticeable curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by 34%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Lao People's Democratic Republic (X tons), Myanmar (X tons), the Philippines (X tons), Malaysia (X tons), Vietnam (X tons), Cambodia (X tons) and Indonesia (X tons) represented roughly 76% of total imports in 2021. The following importers - Bangladesh (X tons), Hong Kong SAR (X tons), Afghanistan (X tons), Nepal (X tons), Japan (X tons) and Thailand (X tons) - together made up 14% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Myanmar (with a CAGR of +27.3%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Lao People's Democratic Republic ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported cotton sewing thread in Asia-Pacific, comprising 24% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the Philippines ($X), with a 10% share of total imports. It was followed by Indonesia, with a 7.5% share.

In Lao People's Democratic Republic, cotton sewing thread imports increased at an average annual rate of +23.8% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the Philippines (+21.3% per year) and Indonesia (-14.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Asia-Pacific stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 3.2% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.1%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 an increase of 11%. The level of import peaked in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Japan ($X per ton), while Myanmar ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Philippines (+9.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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