United Kingdom: Market for Cotton (Carded Or Combed) 2025

Market Size for Cotton (Carded Or Combed) in the UK

In 2022, the UK cotton (carded or combed) market decreased by -50.5% to $X, falling for the fourth year in a row after three years of growth. Over the period under review, consumption faced a deep reduction. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports of Cotton (Carded Or Combed)

Exports from the UK

In 2022, overseas shipments of cotton (carded or combed) decreased by -39.3% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after two years of growth. In general, exports recorded a pronounced reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when exports increased by 199% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cotton (carded or combed) exports fell notably to $X in 2022. Overall, exports continue to indicate a pronounced reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when exports increased by 92%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Ireland (X tons), Israel (X tons) and Portugal (X tons) were the main destinations of cotton (carded or combed) exports from the UK, together comprising 58% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Portugal (with a CAGR of +145.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Israel ($X) remains the key foreign market for cotton (carded or combed) exports from the UK, comprising 44% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by China ($X), with a 19% share of total exports. It was followed by Portugal, with a 6.5% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Israel amounted to +38.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: China (-12.5% per year) and Portugal (+141.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average cotton (carded or combed) export price amounted to $X per ton, rising by 34% against the previous year. In general, the export price posted a mild expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 118% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Ireland ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Spain (+0.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Imports of Cotton (Carded Or Combed)

Imports into the UK

For the fourth year in a row, the UK recorded decline in purchases abroad of cotton (carded or combed), which decreased by -63% to X tons in 2022. In general, imports continue to indicate a drastic downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 69%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cotton (carded or combed) imports shrank markedly to $X in 2022. Overall, imports recorded a deep contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 42%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Spain (X tons), Pakistan (X tons) and Turkey (X tons) were the main suppliers of cotton (carded or combed) imports to the UK, with a combined 90% share of total imports. The United States, China, India, Italy and France lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 9.2%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the United States (with a CAGR of +16.5%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

In value terms, the largest cotton (carded or combed) suppliers to the UK were Pakistan ($X), Spain ($X) and Turkey ($X), together comprising 78% of total imports. India, the United States, China, Italy and France lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 20%.

The United States, with a CAGR of +9.3%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

Import Prices by Country

The average cotton (carded or combed) import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, increasing by 52% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import price indicated a slight increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, cotton (carded or combed) import price increased by +57.2% against 2020 indices. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by India (+11.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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