Not carded or combed cotton market in ASEAN

Earlier Report Observations

The market for not carded or combed cotton in ASEAN showed significant volatility between 2018 and 2023. Volume peaked at 3 047 thousand tons in 2018 before contracting to 2 600 thousand tons in 2019 and further to 2 495 thousand tons in 2020. A temporary recovery to 2 757 thousand tons occurred in 2021, but the market resumed its downward trend, falling to 2 527 thousand tons in 2022 and 2 232 thousand tons in 2023.

Global factors played a key role in shaping the market in later years. In 2023, pandemic-related factory closures and public health restrictions continued to disrupt cotton supply chains, while flooding and stockpiling programs in major producing countries caused price volatility that affected ASEAN import volumes. By 2024, the global cotton production rebound, led by India's rapidly growing exports, began to improve supply availability for ASEAN. Simultaneously, the introduction of advanced spinning machinery by companies like Saurer aimed to enhance processing efficiency in the region's textile industry, and shifting consumer preferences toward natural, sustainable fibers supported underlying demand for cotton.

Production not carded or combed cotton in ASEAN

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of not carded or combed cotton, 2017-2020

World map of production of not carded or combed cotton, 2017-2020

ASEAN's production of not carded or combed cotton has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 422.9 thousand tonnes, which represents a 7.8% decrease compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 21.1%, with an average annual decline of 7.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in ASEAN in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports not carded or combed cotton from ASEAN

Exports in kind, K t

After increasing for two years, ASEAN's exports of not carded or combed cotton declined in 2020. The export volume reached 64 thousand tonnes, down 7.7% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 79.5%, translating to an average annual increase of 21.5%. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 69 thousand tonnes, with the largest year-on-year growth of 57.6% occurring in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from ASEAN in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, the main destinations for ASEAN's exports of not carded or combed cotton were Bangladesh, China, and Pakistan. Bangladesh accounted for 43.0% of exports in kind, China for 29.1%, and Pakistan for 3.5%. Together, these three countries represented 75.7% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from ASEAN in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

ASEAN's exports of not carded or combed cotton in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 56 million US dollars, marking a sharp contraction of 33.6% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 23.8%, with an average annual decline of 8.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 118 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 60.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from ASEAN in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, China, Bangladesh, and India were the primary destinations for ASEAN's exports of not carded or combed cotton in value terms. China accounted for 48.2% of exports, Bangladesh for 20.5%, and India for 3.7%. Collectively, these three markets made up 72.4% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from ASEAN in value, 2017-2020

Imports not carded or combed cotton to ASEAN

Imports in kind, K t

ASEAN's imports of not carded or combed cotton declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 2 136 thousand tonnes, reflecting a 3.4% drop from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 9.5%, with an average annual decline of 3.3%. The peak was in 2018 at 2 605 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 10.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 15.2% decrease.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to ASEAN in kind, 2017-2020, K t

During 2017-2020, the United States, Brazil, and India were the leading suppliers of not carded or combed cotton to ASEAN. The United States accounted for 50.8% of imports in kind, Brazil for 19.7%, and India for 9.1%. Together, these three countries held a 79.6% share of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to ASEAN in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

ASEAN's imports of not carded or combed cotton in value terms fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 3 389 million US dollars, showing a decline of 12.7% compared to the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 22%, equating to an average annual decline of 7.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 5 051 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 16.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 23.2% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to ASEAN in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout 2017-2020, the United States, Brazil, and India remained the key markets for ASEAN's imports of not carded or combed cotton in value terms. Together, these three countries accounted for 79.7% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to ASEAN in value, 2017-2020