Cotton linter import from Brazil shows eye-catching performance

The import volume of cotton linter from the United States and India has dropped significantly this year, while imports from Brazil, Turkey and Turkmenistan have seen a marked increase. Brazil, in particular, has become a highly popular source for cotton linter imports, with its monthly import volume accounting for "half of the total" for several consecutive months.

According to customs data, China's cotton linter imports in Sep this year reached 2,671.26 tons, a month-on-month decrease of 42.43% and a year-on-year decrease of 47.46%. Among this, imports from Brazil stood at around 1,334.77 tons, surging by 51.4% year-on-year and accounting for about 50% of China's total imports. Brazil's cotton linter imports also accounted for "half of the total" in Jun, Aug and Sep.

China's total cotton linter imports from Jan to Sep this year were about 67,702.2 tons, a year-on-year decrease of 14.21%. However, imports from Brazil have shown a significant upward trend, with the share exceeding 1/5 for four consecutive years. Specifically, imports from Brazil in Jan-Sep were 17,741.2 tons, a year-on-year increase of 5.1%, occupying about 26.2% of the total imports.

The average import price of cotton linter in Sep was $419.52/mt, a month-on-month decrease of 5.79% and a year-on-year decrease of 21.36%. Among this, the average import price from Brazil was $384.77/mt, a slight year-on-year decrease of 0.1% and 8.3% lower than China's average import price.

In Jan-Sep, China's average import price of cotton linter was $443.36/mt, a year-on-year increase of 4.6%. Meanwhile, the import price from Brazil was $408.15/mt, a year-on-year decrease of 10.2%, which was 7.9% lower than the national average.

To sum up, affected by factors such as geopolitical conflicts and cost-effectiveness advantages, China's cotton linter imports from the US and India have plummeted this year, while imports from Brazil, Turkey and Turkmenistan have increased significantly. Brazil's cotton linter has shown overall advantages, as the average import prices in Sep and the Jan-Sep period were both lower than China's average and the prices from major origins. With its monthly import volume accounting for half of the national total for several consecutive months, the prospects of Brazil's cotton linter imports remain promising in the medium and long term.