Spunlace nonwovens export of China hits a historical high in Q1-Q3

According to customs data, the export of spunlace nonwovens in Sep 2023 was 32.571kt, an increase of 26% year-on-year, and almost unchanged month-on-month. The average price was $2,347/mt, a decrease of 10% year-on-year and an increase of 7% month-on-month. After reaching a new low in in Aug, the average export price rebounded in Sep. In the first three quarters of this year, the total export volume hit a historical high of 271.142kt, a year-on-year increase of 23%.

In Sep 2023, the export volume of spunlace nonwovens to the five major destinations (South Korea, the United States, Japan, Vietnam, and Brazil) reached 17.739kt, a y-o-y increase of 12%, accounting for 54% of the total export volume. The export to South Korea and the United States in Sepboth reached new monthly highs for this year.

In Sep, the main origins for spunlace nonwovens (Zhejiang, Shandong, Jiangsu, Guangdong, and Fujian) had an export volume of 27.584kt, a y-o-y increase of 90% accounting for 85% of the total export volume.

The export of spunlace nonwovens has been very stable in the first three quarters, with monthly volume mostly around 31kt except for the relatively lower volume during the Spring Festival. The export volume in the first three quarters has reached a historical high, and if the momentum continues in the fourth quarter, it is very likely to exceed the export volume in 2020 (the year of the COVID-19 outbreak). This is mainly due to the higher demand for replenishing stocks outside China after three years of destocking. In addition, spunlace nonwovens products are in demand as an upgraded necessity, and once people form the habit of using them, they are unlikely to give up easily.