Textile Cotton Fabric Exporter

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.