Australia: Cotton Fabric Market 2025

Cotton Fabric Market Size in Australia

In 2021, the Australian cotton fabric market increased by 4.9% to $X, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. Over the period under review, consumption showed a mild contraction. Cotton fabric consumption peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Cotton Fabric Exports

Exports from Australia

In 2021, approx. X tons of woven fabrics of cotton were exported from Australia; with an increase of 15% against 2020 figures. Over the period under review, total exports indicated a pronounced expansion from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +37.1% against 2017 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 138%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, cotton fabric exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Overall, total exports indicated a noticeable 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, exports increased by +44.4% against 2018 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when exports increased by 75%. The exports peaked in 2021 and are likely to continue growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

Fiji (X tons), Sri Lanka (X tons) and New Zealand (X tons) were the main destinations of cotton fabric exports from Australia, together accounting for 79% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Sri Lanka (with a CAGR of +51.3%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for cotton fabric exported from Australia were Fiji ($X), New Zealand ($X) and Sri Lanka ($X), together accounting for 74% of total exports.

In terms of the main countries of destination, Sri Lanka, with a CAGR of +53.3%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average cotton fabric export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 7.6% against the previous year. Overall, the export price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 an increase of 28% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Hong Kong SAR ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Sri Lanka ($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 Papua New Guinea (+12.4%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Cotton Fabric Imports

Imports into Australia

In 2021, supplies from abroad of woven fabrics of cotton decreased by -12.4% to X tons, falling for the fourth year in a row after four years of growth. Overall, imports continue to indicate a perceptible decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when imports increased by 34% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, cotton fabric imports expanded markedly to $X in 2021. In general, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at $X in 2012; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

Imports by Country

China (X tons), Pakistan (X tons) and India (X tons) were the main suppliers of cotton fabric imports to Australia, together accounting for 75% of total imports. South Korea, Japan, Indonesia, Italy and the United States lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 17%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Italy (with a CAGR of +5.9%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($X) constituted the largest supplier of woven fabrics of cotton to Australia, comprising 38% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Pakistan ($X), with a 14% share of total imports. It was followed by India, with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value from China was relatively modest. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Pakistan (-0.1% per year) and India (+12.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average cotton fabric import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, jumping by 31% against the previous year. Overall, the import price posted a notable increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 an increase of 50% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was South Korea ($X per ton), while the price for Pakistan ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+7.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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