China: Cotton Fabric Market 2025

Cotton Fabric Market Size in China

The Chinese cotton fabric market shrank to $X in 2021, waning by -13.5% against the previous year. In general, consumption showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Cotton Fabric Production in China

In value terms, cotton fabric production totaled $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 10%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Cotton Fabric Exports

Exports from China

In 2021, exports of woven fabrics of cotton from China skyrocketed to X tons, with an increase of 19% compared with 2020 figures. Over the period under review, exports saw a pronounced increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when exports increased by 111%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cotton fabric exports surged to $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Bangladesh (X tons), Vietnam (X tons) and Nigeria (X tons) were the main destinations of cotton fabric exports from China, with a combined 36% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Mexico, Cambodia, the Philippines, the United Arab Emirates, Myanmar, Togo, Indonesia, Colombia, Hong Kong SAR and Benin, which together accounted for a further 33%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Myanmar (with a CAGR of +84.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for cotton fabric exported from China were Bangladesh ($X), Vietnam ($X) and Nigeria ($X), with a combined 38% share of total exports. The Philippines, Cambodia, Indonesia, Mexico, Togo, Hong Kong SAR, Benin, Colombia, Myanmar and the United Arab Emirates lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 27%.

Among the main countries of destination, Myanmar, with a CAGR of +54.6%, recorded 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, with an increase of 3.6% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, recorded a pronounced reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the average export price increased by 54% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the Philippines ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the United Arab Emirates ($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 Nigeria (+2.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Cotton Fabric Imports

Imports into China

In 2021, after two years of decline, there was growth in supplies from abroad of woven fabrics of cotton, when their volume increased by 4.4% to X tons. In general, imports, however, showed a mild decrease. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 131% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2016 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, cotton fabric imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, recorded a noticeable downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 43% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2016 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Vietnam (X tons), Pakistan (X tons) and Japan (X tons) were the main suppliers of cotton fabric imports to China, together comprising 70% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Vietnam (with a CAGR of +76.5%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest cotton fabric suppliers to China were Japan ($X), Vietnam ($X) and Pakistan ($X), together accounting for 55% of total imports.

Among the main suppliers, Vietnam, with a CAGR of +62.0%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average cotton fabric import price amounted to $X per ton, surging by 11% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, continues to indicate a perceptible decrease. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 an increase of 45% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2021, the average import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Korea (+1.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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