Not carded or combed cotton market in South-eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for not carded or combed cotton in South-eastern Asia contracted from 3 047 thousand tons in 2018 to 2 232 thousand tons in 2023, marked by volatile swings. An initial drop to 2 600 thousand tons in 2019 was followed by a further decline to 2 495 thousand tons in 2020, a year where the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global supply chains and trade flows, affecting cotton availability and demand across the region. A brief rebound lifted the market to 2 757 thousand tons in 2021, but volumes fell again in the following two years, reaching the period's low by 2023.

By 2024, the market context was shaped by several evolving trends. Growing consumer emphasis on sustainability boosted interest in organic and recycled cotton, influencing material sourcing for the region's sizable apparel industry. Concurrently, ongoing U.S.-China trade tensions continued to affect supply chains for key Southeast Asian garment exporters, while the rapid growth of e-commerce began to alter traditional distribution channels for textile raw materials, coinciding with a rise in imports for the year.

Production not carded or combed cotton in South-eastern Asia

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

Production of not carded or combed cotton in South-eastern Asia fell for the third year in a row. In 2019, the region produced 458.8 K t, but this dropped to 422.9 K t in 2020, marking a 7.8% decline. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 21.1%, which translates to an average annual reduction of 7.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports not carded or combed cotton from South-eastern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

After rising for two years, exports of not carded or combed cotton from South-eastern Asia saw a decline. In 2019, exports stood at 69 K t, but fell to 64 K t in 2020, a decrease of 7.7%. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 79.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 21.5%. The peak was in 2019 at 69 K t, and the largest annual increase occurred in 2018, at 57.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for not carded or combed cotton exports from South-eastern Asia were Bangladesh, accounting for 43.0% of exports, China with 29.1%, and Pakistan at 3.5%. Together, these three countries made up 75.7% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of not carded or combed cotton exports from South-eastern Asia dropped for the second consecutive year. In 2019, exports were valued at 84.3 M $ US, but this fell to 56 M $ US in 2020, a sharp decline of 33.6%. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 23.8%, with an average annual decline of 8.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 118 M $ US, and the largest increase occurred that same year, at 60.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China was the largest contributor to export value, accounting for 48.2%, followed by Bangladesh at 20.5%, and India at 3.7%. Combined, these three countries represented 72.4% of total export flows in value terms.

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

World map of product's exports from South-eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020

Imports not carded or combed cotton to South-eastern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Imports of not carded or combed cotton into South-eastern Asia declined for the second year in a row. In 2019, imports totaled 2 211 K t, dropping to 2 136 K t in 2020, a 3.4% decrease. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 9.5%, with an average annual decline of 3.3%. The peak was in 2018 at 2 605 K t, with the largest drop occurring in 2019 at 15.2%, and the largest increase in 2018 at 10.5%.

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

During 2017-2020, the United States was the leading source of imports, making up 50.8% of the total, followed by Brazil at 19.7%, and India at 9.1%. Together, these three countries accounted for 79.6% of import flows in kind.

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

World map of product's imports to South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

The value of not carded or combed cotton imports into South-eastern Asia fell for the second consecutive year. In 2019, imports were valued at 3 882 M $ US, but this decreased to 3 389 M $ US in 2020, down 12.7%. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value dropped by 22%, with an average annual decline of 7.9%. The highest value was in 2018 at 5 051 M $ US, with the largest decrease in 2019 at 23.2%, and the largest increase in 2018 at 16.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States remained the top supplier in value terms, accounting for 51.4% of imports, followed by Brazil at 19.4%, and India at 8.9%. Collectively, these three countries represented 79.7% of total import value.

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

World map of product's imports to South-eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020