Textile Cotton Fabric Exporter

9 February 2009 - Prices are now surging in the polyester pipeline in Asia. A lack of supply is boosting PTA prices to strongly higher levels while glycol is also rising. Polyester prices are clearly increasing in China and polyester production is therefore expected rising with a new jump in intermediate prices in the near future, as a result. Optimistic atmosphere is also being fueled by China's new textile plan.

9 February 2009 - India this week decided to subsidize cotton sales to the domestic textile industry. A decisive move which will offer some relief to Indian spinners while possibly putting pressure on international prices. The fate of rapidly rising Chinese reserves will also be key to future price levels on the market. Prices this week further soared in Pakistan where cotton shortage further looms, by contrast.

6 February 2009 - Sri Lanka's apparel exports are being negatively affected by the economic recession in the US and the EU as the domestic currency remained relatively strong in the last months, in addition. Although exports slowed down to the UK in the past year, Sri Lanka did not lose its competitiveness, partly due to its duty-free access to the EU under the so-called GSP-Plus. Brussels just maintained the preferential treatment for a short period of time while reviewing human rights records in the country.

6 February 2009 - US International Trade Administration: New Registry Required by Turkey for Importing Textiles and Apparel. Polyester Staple Fibers: Anti-Dumping Investigations on Taiwan and South Korean products. - U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: One Year Stay of Testing and Certification Requirements for Certain Products. - EU Commission: Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on textile names and related labelling of textile products. - EU List of "Dangerous Products": Clothing from Turkey, China, Bulgaria, etc.

6 February 2009 - Wool prices declined this week in US$ terms in Australia and New Zealand. Demand is weak, especially from Europe where textile recession takes its toll on consumption of wool fibers. Fine-type microns fell while medium micron prices rose at the same time. A seasonal lack of supply is limiting the current retreat of prices.

5 February 2009 - China's government Wednesday unveiled an ambitious program for relaunching domestic textile and apparel industries. Only including a 1% rise in export rebates, this is not the expected textile bailout plan but a series of five long-term objectives are being clearly defined in order to exit the current crisis.

5 February 2009 - PTA prices surged on Thursday in Asia after China unveiled a textile plan for supporting its ailing domestic industry. The rebound in raw material costs led to a 400-yuan increase in polyester prices in the post-holiday period in China. Inventories had previously been lowered to very low levels, leaving room for the current jump in prices.

5 February 2009 - Cotton yarn prices surged in the past days in Pakistan, reflecting a much stronger demand from the international market and higher cotton prices in the country, our Correspondent reports. Polyester-cotton prices stayed unchanged in the last weeks, under pressure of lower polyester prices until they were raised on February 2nd.

5 February 2009 - Spun yarn prices were relatively stable in China, in the first days following the Lunar Year holidays. Demand remains very weak from downstream processors as production is being slowly relaunched. Spun polyester yarn prices are however rising, in line with a sudden increase in staple fiber prices. Demand for spun yarns should steadily rise in the coming weeks.

4 February 2009 - There are new signs emerging of rampant textile trade protectionism, as a result of falling export sales in Asia, Latin America, and elsewhere in the world. Import restrictions were recently imposed by Argentine, Turkey, Indonesia or Egypt while a series of anti-dumping investigations were being launched on the polyester market. The most controversial development could however affect the United States where a Buy American provision was introduced in the Obama Stimulus Plan for restricting procurement of certain uniforms to only 100% US goods.

4 February 2009 - China's prices began less strongly declining or even rose in certain categories in the third quarter of 2008 on EU clothing market. With higher costs in China and a falling euro, Chinese prices may now rebound after having been cut in the first months of 2008, in line with the removal in European quotas and the rise in the euro.

3 February 2009 - A new fall in the euro in January will further affect European clothing imports in the coming months while the Sterling again declined against the dollar at the same time. Except a drastic decrease in the Korean won and the Turkish lira, currencies were relatively stable in the first month of the year with the renminbi no more expected moving against the US dollar in the near term. Emerging currencies are however being weakened by lower interest rates and additional public spending.

3 February 2009 - South Korea's cotton yarn imports recovered in value terms in the last year while no more declining in volume terms. Shipments from China, Vietnam and Indonesia even surged while dramatically falling from Pakistan. India remained the top supplier but failed in reducing its yarn prices at the end of 2008 by contrast with other exporting countries, our statistical tables are indicating.

3 February 2009 - Polyester prices strongly increased in China in the post-holiday period, reflecting a new rise in raw material costs. Demand may remain stagnant on the market however, therefore forcing polyester producers in further cutting production in the near term or face additional losses.

2 February 2009 - Cotton prices finally retreated in the past week after reaching a level not seen in New York since last October. While commodity markets were declining, physical demand was too poor on the international market to sustain the rally any longer. Falling demand from China this year and large stocks being accumulated by state-controlled organizations will continue putting pressure on cotton prices.

2 February 2009 - Polyester prices clearly rose in China as buyers were progressively returning from their holidays. Polyester intermediate prices stayed unchanged after significantly increasing in the pre-holiday period. New shutdowns were planned in Asia which should offer some support to PTA prices in the near term. With China's capacities being also expanded, however, there is no strong jump in prices expected in the coming months.

30 January 2009 - A planned free-trade agreement between the European Union and India would have strong consequences for textile and clothing sectors. Apparel exports from India would be seriously boosted while European investment in India may blossom in order to benefit from soaring retail sales in the country, according to a just released report which was commissioned by the European Union.

30 January 2009 - Brazil Renounces in Expanding Automatic Import Licences on Textiles and Apparel. - Argentina's Anti-Dumping Duties on Zippers from China and Peru. - WTO Rules Against China on IPR Laws. - U.S. Customs Intercepts Counterfeit Clothing. - U.S. Department of Labor Reports About Labor Conditions in CAFTA-DR Countries. - EU and US Lists of "Dangerous Products".

30 January 2009 - Wool prices were slightly down on major markets of the Southern hemisphere this week, reflecting poor demand from China while the Australian dollar and the rand were higher than in previous week. Buyers were made cautious by the poor economic environment, clearly expecting lower prices in the short term

29 January 2009 - India's apparel exports are slowing down in line with economic recession in the United States and the European Union. Labour and transport costs are no more rising in India however, while raw material prices relatively fell. The rupee's decline and some financial support from the government are also expected supporting apparel sales to international buyers in the coming period, as export prices will be further reduced, our India Correspondent reports.

29 January 2009 - Spandex market prices remained relatively unchanged in the last days before new year holidays in China. Demand was extremely low as downward textile production was falling. Raw material prices were also unchanged in Asia. The spandex industry is still looking for a bottom in prices, by contrast with other fiber markets.

28 January 2009 - China's textile imports rebounded in December, reflecting relatively stronger apparel exports by the end of 2008. Shipments from Japan surged in December while steadily rising over the full 2008. Textile imports from Hong Kong and Europe were clearly weaker, however. Clothing imports slowed down from the EU at the end of last year, in addition.

28 January 2009 - Polyester staple fiber prices were slightly raised on January 1st in Pakistan, reflecting the strength in prices on the domestic polyester market. Although demand remains relatively low, fiber and yarn prices were not reduced thanks to a fall in production as a result of the domestic energy crisis. Cotton prices are now rising above the level of PSF prices, a rather unusual situation in Pakistan, our local Correspondent reports.

28 January 2009 - Viscose prices may have stopped falling in China, on the eve of new year holidays. As inventories declined to very low levels, staple fiber prices may now bottom out in line with a stronger seasonal demand in February-March. Demand from foreign nations is extremely weak with VSF exports down 51% in full 2008 in US$ terms, as reflected by our statistical tables.

27 January 2009 - US apparel imports from China surged in the last three years to the detriment of South Asian suppliers, especially in categories were quotas have been definitively eliminated in 2005. Where the United States continued imposing limits, however, US imports surged from India and to a lesser extent from Bangladesh. South Asia may now feel consequences of the removal of US barriers, as reflected by our statistical comparison of US category imports per origin.

27 January 2009 - EU imports of man-made fiber bed linen remained very strong in the first three quarters of the past year, mainly due to a sharp fall in prices offered by China and Pakistan. Imports jumped from the UK and Spain in volume terms while seriously falling from France. China led the printed bed linen segment in value terms while Pakistan further dominated the market on the non-printed bed linen segment, as reflected by our series of statistical tables.

27 January 2009 - Polyester prices were very far from falling in the last days before Chinese holidays, mainly due to a continued increase in intermediate prices in Asia. Tighter supply is offering some strong support to prices which may again increase in the post-holiday period in China.

26 January 2009 - China's clothing exports were much stronger in December, partly due to higher shipments to the US market ahead of quotas' elimination. Textile exports clearly slowed down by contrast, as a large number of apparel plants were being shut down in Asia. Total textile and clothing exports continued steadily rising in 2008, very far from the predicted disaster, as indicated by our series of statistical tables.

26 January 2009 - Cotton prices further rose in the last week in New York, boosted by record weekly export sales of US cotton. Demand is clearly stronger from Asia as domestic crops are being completed. Very large stocks are however accumulated due to massive state intervention in China and India. Such state reserves should weigh on prices in the coming months.

26 January 2009 - The polyester intermediate market remained very firm in the last week with spot paraxylene prices further surging while contract prices were settled at significantly higher levels for both PX and PTA markets. Mainly due to a previous reduction in operating rates, prices remained firm on the eve of holidays in China. Polyester intermediate prices could further rise after holidays.

23 January 2009 - EU's clothing imports clearly slowed down over the third quarter of the past year, according to latest available data. The U.K. was by far the weakest market for shipments from outside the European Union, while the growth in imports dramatically declined on Spanish and Italian market from recent peaks, as reflected by our series of statistical tables.

23 January 2009 - U.S. Customs: Retroactive Benefits under Costa Rica's DR-CAFTA Implementation. Haiti's Participation in ELVIS Program. - U.S. President: Implementing US-Peru Free Trade Agreement. - U.S. International Trade Administration: Earned Import Allowance Program Established Under the Andean Trade Preference Act of 2008. - U.S. Congress: Trade Enforcement Act of 2009 Introduced in House by Charles Rangel. - U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: Recall of Pajamas made in Cambodia. - EU's List of "Dangerous Products": Products from China, Thailand and other origins.

23 January 2009 - Wool prices fell this week in Australia and South Africa while rising in New Zealand. Over the past two months, prices were relatively stable as Australian growers prefer retaining stocks. An expected decline in global wool textile production could however depress demand in the coming months.

22 January 2009 - A large number of anti-dumping investigations were last year launched by emerging countries on fiber and yarn imports from low-cost suppliers. As global economic recession looms, other sanctions could be decided in 2009 in order to protect national markets from allegedly dumped products. China is the main target of these investigations while Turkey is the most aggressive in imposing anti-duping duties.

21 January 2009 - Amid heavily depressing news, there are however clear signs that global textile and clothing markets may stop shrinking in 2009, although not fully recovering from the economic recession experienced in the United States and in Europe. Raw material costs of textile and apparel industries are no more declining in Asia where lower inflation rates may now limit the rise in manufacturing costs. A stronger dollar and the elimination of US textile quotas should also help in offering lower-priced products to consumer in developed countries.

21 January 2009 - Apparel sales further deteriorated in December at US retail. With an annual fall of 7.15% at clothing stores, the holiday season was the worst in a large number of years and the level in orders passed by US importers should be negatively affected as a consequence.

21 January 2009 - Viscose fiber prices fell in the past weeks in Pakistan over power shortages limiting demand from the domestic textile industry. Yarn prices stayed however unchanged, due to the reduction in textile production, our Correspondent reports.

20 January 2008 - The international yarn market is slowly recovering thanks to lower fiber and yarn prices and the sharp reduction in inventories at processing plants. Demand from the Far East and Europe is progressively back as the fall in the Pakistani and Indian rupees offers an additional advantage to South Asian exporters...

20 January 2009 - US apparel imports were extremely contrasted in major categories in the past year, according to just released preliminary data in volume terms. China's share further rose on a series of markets, amid slowing down or even declining overall imports. US buyers increasingly focused on specific sources for specific products...

Polyester prices slightly increased in the last seven days in China, reflecting a rise in raw material costs of staple fiber and filament producers. Operating rates are also down in the country while demand is however falling ahead of new year holidays.

20 January 2009 - Cotton yarn prices slightly declined in the past two weeks in China, mostly reflecting a fall in demand from the weaving and knit apparel industries ahead of new year holidays. Prices are no more expected sliding however, as spinners will prefer slashing production in the short term. Polyester spun yarns were up ...

19 January 2009 - Demand for cotton is apparently bottoming out in Asia, reflecting a similar rise in cotton textile production from the very low levels of the end of last year. Cotton lint prices significantly increased in Pakistan with domestic demand shifting to the international market as a result. In India, state agencies continue procuring large quantities, therefore supporting prices and accumulating huge stocks which could put pressure on prices in the second part of the year.

19 January 2009 - Prices stayed very firm in the Asian polyester pipeline in the past week, although crude oil prices further slided. The paraxylene and PTA markets are still supported by tight supply after operating rates were reduced in the last two months. The rise in PX prices may however end in the very short term while global glycol suppliers did not increase their February nominations, as reflected in our series of tables and graphs.

19 January 2009 - Viscose prices are no more rising in China although yarn production is progressively falling to very low levels ahead of holidays. A very sharp reduction of production at various stages of the viscose pipeline is behind the stabilization, with raw material costs and spun yarn prices staying unchanged since the start of the year.

16 January 2009 - Apparel exports from Bangladesh surged in the second part of 2008, as US and EU retailers progressively turned to lower-priced products. A relatively low inflation rate and large availability of cheap raw materials are offering a strong opportunity to Bangladeshi clothing industry. With US textile quotas now removed on Chinese products, however, and the recession reducing demand from EU and US markets, domestic exports could less strongly rise in the near future.

16 January 2009 - Hong Kong Trade and Industry Department: China's Textile Export Licences. - U.S. Trade Representative: Retroactive Duty-Free Access for Costa-Rican Apparel. Textiles Withdrawn from Beef Hormones Sanction List. - U.S. Customs: Costa Rica's DR-CAFTA Implementation. Intellectual Property Rights: FY 2008 Seizure Statistics. - U.S. ITA: Webinar over US Textile Trade Programs in Post-Quota World. - U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: Recall of "Infant Garments" from China. New Lead Content Limits.

16 January 2009 - Wool markets experienced very different trends this week, back from a long Christmas recess. Prices declined in US$ terms in Australia while unchanged in A$ terms. They rose in South Africa in rand terms while unchanged in US$ terms. Wool prices increased in New Zealand in NZ$ terms but declined in US$ terms.

15 January 2009 - Inflation rates are back to more normal levels in emerging countries, after the energy and food crisis pushed up prices in the first part of 2008. Sharp differences are however reported depending on countries. With currency values often down in 2008 against the US dollar in addition, textile and clothing exporters may more easily overcome the global economic crisis, as reflected by our data.

15 January 2009 - Spandex prices again slided in the past two weeks although some stability may be in sight for the coming period, as production falls in China. Demand from Chinese textile companies is declining ahead of holidays and raw material costs are further decreasing in Asia, including MDI, BDO and PTMEG.

15 January 2009 - Polyester prices remained stable in the past days, even slightly increasing on certain market places. Crude oil futures sharply declined by contrast but an overall reduction in production is protecting the whole polyester chain form new price decreases. Paraxylene began however declining after significantly rising until last Tuesday.

14 January 2009 - US apparel imports sharply declined in November, reflecting a larger fall in woven apparel shipments than for knit apparel. Imports from China were supported by a surge in quota categories ahead of 2009 liberalization. Other Asian countries resisted on the knit apparel market while shipments of woven apparel were seriously falling. US imports from Vietnam were already slowing down in November while strongly rising from Bangladesh.

14 January 2009 - India's cotton yarn exports further weakened in the past weeks, as a result of a slowing down global apparel market while domestic cotton prices remained above the international level. Demand is shifting from 100% cotton to blends, especially from Bangladesh. Viscose yarn exports again fell although prices were heavily discounted, our Correspondent reports.

14 January 2008 - Nylon/Polyamide prices are sharply falling in China, in line with a reduction in demand and lower caprolactam prices. The crisis of the automotive industry is putting pressure on nylon prices, as demand for tyre cord fabrics is dramatically down. Caprolactam prices should further decline in the near term, in line with crude oil and benzene prices, in addition.

13 January 2009 - US apparel imports stagnated or even declined in the second part of last year in most important categories, according to just released US official data. Shipments from China surged in categories where quotas have been eliminated at the end of 2008 to the detriment of competitors in Vietnam and Indonesia, according to our first review of 2008 statistics covering the US apparel market. China's shares are apparently set to rapidly increase in these categories in the first months of 2009.

13 January 2009 - Cotton yarn prices are this month down in India, in line with a shift in demand to polyester spun yarns and blends. Prices of polyester-cotton and polyester-viscose are therefore rising. Cotton yarn makers are now trying to reduce their stocks and to cut production while India's output is increasing for polyester-cotton yarns, our Correspondent reports. Strong efforts are being made to reduce the price of combed yarns, in addition.

13 January 2009 - Polyester prices very slightly increased in the past seven days on China's market, reflecting some firmness in raw material costs. Although crude oil prices are sharply falling this week, the Asian paraxylene market is resisting and this should offer some serious support to the polyester market in the near future, even with a slowing down demand ahead of new year holidays.

12 January 2009 - Cotton prices continued steadily rising in the last week in New York, being supported by speculative funds in line with the recent fall in the US dollar. Textile production began also slowly recovering in Pakistan and India with a relatively better demand for spun yarns. There is no clear sign of a long-term rebound in cotton use and prices however, with the current rally being therefore seen by analysts with some strong pessimism.

12 January 2009 - Crude oil prices began falling in the second part of the past week as a clear sign that prices will not further increase in the polyester pipeline. Demand from the China's textile industry being very weak ahead of the Spring Festival, there is no potential rise in prices in sight before February. Intermediate producers are tempted raising their operating rates in addition, putting some permanent pressure on PTA and MEG market prices.

12 January 2009 - EU's denim imports heavily fell in the first three quarters of the past year, reflecting a new decline in apparel capacities in the European Union and more precisely in Italy. Tunisian shipments were consecutively down while surging from Morocco after new capacities were built in the country.

9 January 2009 - Polyester prices rose in the past weeks in India in line with higher raw material costs and stronger demand from spinners and filament weavers. Indian exporters began selling larger quantities of polyester fibers while seasonal demand was higher on the domestic market. Prices are now expected further rising in the near term, our India Correspondent reports.

9 January 2009 - EU clothing imports did not yet weaken in the third quarter of 2008, according to latest available data. Morocco and Turkey were already affected by the deteriorating economic situation while paying the price of textile quotas' removal. Imports further surged from China while increasingly emerging from Vietnam. Bangladesh resisted on the knit clothing segment while India remained strong with woven clothing shipments.

9 January 2009 - EU Commission: End Of Anti-Subsidy Duties On Bed Linen From India. - U.S. Customs: Staged Entry Limits for China in Excess of 2008 Agreement Limits. 2009 Nicaragua TPLs. - U.S. CITA: One Request and Two designations under CAFTA Commercial Availability Provision. - US International Trade Commission: 2009 Descriptions of HTS Chapters 61 and 62 (knit and woven apparel).

8 January 2009 - The Turkish textile and clothing industries are now facing very strong difficulties after enjoying prosperity in the past years. Apparel exports fell more than 25% in December, further depressing textile production and imports. Large groups announced they will exit the textile sector as competition surges from China and other Asian and Mediterranean countries. The fall of the lira is not really supporting exports, only reflecting a looming financial crisis in the country.

8 January 2009 - After Israel launched its attack on Gaza, crude oil prices suddenly rebounded in the past days, triggering a rise in raw material costs of polyester fiber producers. Oil prices however fell on Wednesday while demand remains extremely weak from China's textile industry. There is no rebound in sight ahead of lunar year holidays.

7 January 2009 - The United States launched an "anti-subsidy" war against China by mid-December, only a few days before textile quotas were eliminated. With economic recession increasingly affecting employment in the U.S., there is mounting pressure for imposing a "fair trade" on China. Triggered by the textile lobby, the Bush administration started an offensive against China's program for supporting its brands. The Obama administration will have to decide if China is effectively filed with the WTO.

7 January 2009 - Cotton yarn prices are no more falling on the Pakistan's export market, reflecting stronger demand from the Far East, Bangladesh, the European Union and Turkey, our Correspondent reports. Pakistani yarn exporters are taking advantage of a series of factors, including the rupee's decline, the high level in Indian cotton prices, and the need to replenish stocks whatever the global slowdown.

6 January 2009 - The euro seriously rose in December, giving some room to eurozone importers while the British pound dramatically fell, therefore depressing UK's clothing import market. The decline of the dollar in December should also further limit US apparel imports in the near term. Exporters in India and Pakistan finally benefited from a sharp fall in their currencies in 2008, our statistical tables are indicating. China's renminbi no more rose since last June in addition while the Vietnamese dong seriously fell.

6 January 2009 - US imports from China are not expected surging after quotas were definitively eliminated, effective from January 1st. Some more pressure was however felt in the last months of 2008 at US borders, in most important categories. As reflected by our statistical tables, quota fill ates remained lower than a year ago, nevertheless.

6 January 2009 - Cotton yarn prices significantly fell in the past two weeks in China, reflecting the low level in market activity in this period of the year. With cotton prices rising in line with a governmental buying campaign, the margins of spinning mills are currently falling with a reduction in yarn output in sight. Polyester and viscose yarn prices were unchanged at the same time as raw material costs may be more stable over the coming period.

6 January 2009 - Polyester prices started falling in China, as a result of a similar decline in raw material costs of polyester fiber producers. A very low demand ahead of Chinese new year is also explaining the retreat in prices. A second attempt in only two months for raising polyester prices therefore failed, reflecting the lack of activity on this market.

5 January 2009 - Cotton prices further surged in the past week in New York amid very low trading volumes in the last days of the year. The fall of the US dollar however found a bottom, and this may put and end to the current rally. Prices also surged in Pakistan where textile activity is apparently recovering. Indian prices are clearly on the decline by contrast, although a minimum price was set by the government. In China, prices are slightly rising, stimulated by continued state intervention on the market.

5 January 2009 - Polyester intermediate prices began declining in the last week in Asia, reflecting a low level in demand and a surprising fall of paraxylene prices. The recent rebound in prices in the polyester pipeline has apparently ended. Although a series of Asian producers have shut down facilities, new production lines are expected coming on stream this year, especially in China. This should maintain prices at their currently low level.

2 January 2009 - Optimism is back on Pakistan's cotton yarn market , at least for a while. Demand for cotton yarns was stronger in the past period, thanks to a fall in the rupee and a continued strength in cotton prices. The lack of energy also resulted in much lower yarn production therefore stimulating prices. Blended polyester-cotton yarn prices however slightly declined in the past weeks, our Pakistan Correspondent reports.

2 January 2009 - Viscose prices further fell in the last two weeks in China. Raw material costs continued losing ground while demand remained extremely weak at the same time. Viscose staple fiber prices were nearly halved in 2008, much more dramatically declining than cotton prices. The price difference nearly disappeared between viscose and cotton. Demand for viscose did not rebound however.

2 January 2009 - EU Commission: Anti-subsidy duties on bed linen from India. 2009 Quotas (Belarus, Serbia) - Hong Kong: Textiles Control Arrangements for the EU and the US Markets in 2009. China's 2009 rules regarding textile Certificates of Origin and Export Licensing. - U.S. President: CAFTA-DR Implementation for Costa Rica. FTA with Oman. - U.S. Customs: ELVIS cancellation. - U.S. CITA: Entries in excess of textile limits. - US Trade Representative: The U.S. Files WTO Case Against China Over Illegal Support for Chinese “Famous Brands”.

31 December 2008 - The spandex market prices again fell in the last two weeks in China, being depressed by a new decline in raw material costs and a lack of demand from textile processors. Such a new drop in elastane prices is in sharp contrast with other fiber markets in China which were stabilized in the last weeks. This is a clear sign that spandex use is more sharply falling than for basic fibers like cotton and polyester.

30 December 2008 - EU bed linen imports continued rising in the first three quarters of the year, especially in US$ terms. China took a strong advantage of the removal in quotas while Pakistan further strengthened its leading position. Shipments from Bangladesh surged while still stagnating from India. The European market should be affected by the recession in 2009 but India and Pakistan will benefit from the removal of additional tariffs imposed by Brussels in 2004.

30 December 2008 - Polyester prices stayed unchanged in the last seven days in China, in line with more stability in raw material costs and cotton lint market. Demand is extremely low ahead of new year's day with a series of plants expected shutting down for a while. Prices should stay at the same level in the coming weeks, until after lunar year holidays by early February.

29 December 2008 - For the first time in months, the paraxylene market was disconnected from the oil market in the last week, experiencing a sharp increase in Asia while crude futures were declining in New York. This is a new sign that a significant reduction in Asian production will offer some support to prices in the near term. On the other hand, poor demand from downstream processors may rapidly limit any rise in prices, as already observed on the PTA market in the last week.

29 December 2008 - Cotton prices further rose in the last week in New York, being supported by the fall in the US dollar. Demand remains however extremely weak on the physical market, as reflected by the very small rise in the "A Index" in the past week, consecutively. There is no sign yet of a possible rebound in cotton prices in January. Domestic prices are still supported by state intervention in China, Pakistan and India.