Not carded or combed cotton market in Southern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for not carded or combed cotton in Southern Asia showed overall growth from 2018 to 2021, with volume rising from 29 536 thousand tonnes to 31 727 thousand tonnes. This period included a moderate increase in domestic production and a slight market contraction in 2020 that represented stabilization. The expansion reflected sustained regional demand and output, though specific driving events for these years are not highlighted in available sources.

A sharp market contraction occurred in 2022, with volume falling to 26 085 thousand tonnes alongside a significant drop in production. This was followed by a strong recovery in 2023, bringing market volume to 30 632 thousand tonnes. The rebound was facilitated by India's Minimum Support Price policy for cotton, which provided farmer incentives and supported domestic supply. Concurrent reports of a projected decline in global cotton production for the 2023-2024 season underscored broader supply constraints that influenced regional market conditions.

Factors noted for 2024 include India's steady cotton output and an increased reliance on imports to meet domestic demand, shaping trade flows. Sustainability trends in the textile industry continue to support demand for natural fibers like cotton, while global trade adjustments and ongoing domestic policy frameworks underpin market dynamics in Southern Asia.

Production not carded or combed cotton in Southern 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

In 2020, Southern Asia produced 28 872 K t of not carded or combed cotton, marking a 2.9% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 7.6%, with an average annual decline of 2.6%. The lowest production level was in 2018 at 27 159 K t, which saw the largest drop of 13.1%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the biggest increase at 9.5%.

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

Exports not carded or combed cotton from Southern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed significant volatility during these years. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 at 12 K t, with the largest decline of 67.9% that year. By 2020, exports surged to 73 K t, a sharp 392.4% increase from the previous year, marking the peak. Overall, volumes shifted 6.3-fold between the minimum in 2018 and maximum in 2020.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export structure for not carded or combed cotton remained fragmented. Indonesia accounted for 15.6% of exports in kind, Vietnam for 11.8%, and Thailand for 3.1%. Together, these three countries represented only 30.4% of total flows, with no single country holding a dominant share.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Market performance exhibited noticeable fluctuations during this period. Export values hit their lowest in 2019 at 22 M $ US, with the largest decline of 67.8% that year. By 2020, values climbed to 124 M $ US, a sharp 455.5% increase from the prior year, reaching the peak. This represented a 5.6-fold shift between the minimum in 2019 and maximum in 2020.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, exports in value terms of not carded or combed cotton from Southern Asia were spread across a wide range of markets. Indonesia contributed 14.6% of exports in value terms, Vietnam 10.5%, and Thailand 2.9%. Combined, these three countries made up only 28.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports not carded or combed cotton to Southern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Southern Asia imported 2 171 K t of not carded or combed cotton, up 27.1% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 3.4%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 1.1%. The minimum import volume was in 2019 at 1 708 K t, with the largest decline of 28.5% that year. The maximum was in 2018 at 2 389 K t.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the supplier portfolio for not carded or combed cotton to Southern Asia was broad. The United States accounted for 21.0% of imports in kind, Brazil for 9.1%, and Benin for 5.3%. Together, these three countries contributed only 35.4% of total imports in kind, with many other countries holding smaller but notable shares.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, not carded or combed cotton imports to Southern Asia reached 3 465 M $ US, a strong 17.7% increase over the past year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 18.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.7%. The minimum value was in 2019 at 2 944 M $ US, with the largest decline of 38.6% that year. The maximum was in 2018 at 4 792 M $ US.

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

During 2017-2020, not carded or combed cotton was supplied to Southern Asia from many different markets. Even the largest destinations — the United States, Brazil, and Benin — together represented only 34.0% of total imports in value terms.

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

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