Reshuffling process of major refined cotton export markets accelerates

Refined cotton export market showed an obvious trend of "uneven cold and hot" performance. The reshuffling process in major regions has accelerated. Among them, some traditional export countries and regions have significantly "cooled down", while some emerging ones have seen a sharp rise in popularity, with "dark horses" emerging frequently.

China's refined cotton is exported to relatively scattered regions. In 2024, it was exported to 41 countries and regions, with the top 5 accounting for nearly 67%. In the first half of this year, it was exported to 37 countries and regions in total, and the top 5 accounted for nearly 59%, indicating a decline in concentration.

Over the years, South Korea has always been the top in the export market. Although its export volume dropped by 16% in the first half of this year, it still firmly holds the "top position". However, starting from the second place, the ranking has changed significantly. In the first half of this year, exports to Japan, the Netherlands, Indonesia, and Kazakhstan have dropped. Among them, Kazakhstan, which was the biggest "star" last year, has "fallen out of the rankings" this year. Its export volume in 2024 was about 12,440.7 tons, accounting for 11.8%. In the first half of this year, the export volume was 1,309.3 tons, a year-on-year decrease of 87%, accounting for 3.1%, dropping from the second place to the tenth.

For many years, South Korea, Japan, the Netherlands, and Thailand have been firmly in the top four of the export market, with South Korea continuing to "lead the pack". In the first half of this year, South Korea remains at the top, and the top four are South Korea, Thailand, the Netherlands, and Brazil in order. In the first half of the year, exports to Thailand, Brazil, Finland, Switzerland increased to varying degrees.

In the first half of this year, South Africa and North Korea made "leapfrog progress" and became the biggest "dark horses", both entering the top ten. The export volume to South Africa in 2024 was about 1,797 tons, accounting for 1.7%. In the first half of this year, the export volume was 2,351.9 tons, exceeding the total of last year, with a year-on-year increase of 1,868.6%, accounting for 5.6%. The export volume to North Korea in 2024 was about 624.6 tons, accounting for 0.6%. In the first half of this year, the export volume was 1,749.4 tons, far exceeding the total of last year, with a year-on-year increase of 701.8%, accounting for 4.2%.

Refined cotton export market ushered in a "highlight moment" in 2024, with export volume increasing for four consecutive years and hitting a historical high. This year, affected by various factors, the export volume in the first half of the year has decreased significantly, the reshuffling process of export regions has accelerated, showing an obvious trend of "uneven cold and hot" performance. For many years, South Korea has continued to "lead the pack" and remained in the top position in the first half of the year. Exports to Japan, Kazakhstan, the Netherlands, and Indonesia have dropped sharply, while exports to Thailand, Brazil, Finland, and Switzerland have increased to varying degrees. South Africa and North Korea have "stood out" and become the biggest "dark horses".