Textile fiber prices have remained very firm in the past four weeks on the global market, mostly due to strong raw material costs. Demand was depressed by persistent uncertainties on the textile and apparel markets, partly due to ongoing trade negotiations between China and the United States.
Textile fiber prices have not significantly moved in the past four weeks, as the global market continues waiting for the end of China-US trade negotiations.
The high level of uncertainty about the future role of China in the global supply chain has further weakened demand, as stocks are kept at lowest possible levels.
On the other side, any announcement of a successful end of negotiations could trigger a move toward stronger demand and higher prices.
Cotton prices have further rallied in the past four weeks in New York, over strong demand for US cotton from emerging spinning countries like Vietnam and Bangladesh, but also from veterans lacking cotton like Pakistan and India.
China has also purchased US cotton, as a sign of goodwill and of even larger orders after the end of negotiations.
A fall of the US dollar in the coming period could also boost demand and therefore support cotton prices.
On the polyester market by contrast, prices are fully frozen although crude oil prices have continued rallying from their previously low levels.
The polyester market is actually weakened by a lack of demand from textile producers in China whereas higher PTA prices have however supported prices.
Viscose prices have continued falling at the start of the 4-week period under review before stabilizing in China, and therefore also in other Asian countries.
Large inventories have been digested now allowing VSF prices to stay firm, as demand may be stronger over seasonal needs.
The nylon 6 market has stayed very firm thanks to similarly strong benzene and caprolactam prices.
Polyamide prices have however not really risen, nevertheless.
Wool prices are now falling overall in Australia, over a fall in quality levels of drought-affected fibers.
Acrylic prices are meanwhile supported by surging acrylonitrile prices.
Source: Emergingtextiles
