Cotton linter import of China witnesses a surge of 193% in Jan-Apr

China's cotton linter import market has seen continuous growth this year, with monthly imports increasing from Jan to Apr. In Apr, the monthly import volume reached a new high within the year, which was about 2.2 times that of Jan. Imports from India and Tanzania have significantly increased, while regions like Xinjiang and Jiangsu have seen a surge in imports.

Against the backdrop of shrinking supply and rising prices of Chinese cotton linter, cotton linter pulp mills and refined cotton enterprises have turned their attention to the imported cotton linter market. This has led to a steady increase in the import volume of cotton linter this year, partially offsetting the insufficient production in China. According to customs data, the import volume of cotton linter in Apr was 12,468.14 tons, an increase of 36.2% compared to the previous month and a significant 175.8% year-on-year increase. The cumulative import volume from Jan to Apr was 34,438.4 tons, a 192.7% year-on-year increase.

In terms of origins, India dominated the single-month imports in Apr, with 6,137 tons, a 663.5% year-on-year increase, accounting for 49.2%. Turkey and Brazil ranked second and third, with the top three countries accounting for over 80% of the total imports.

In terms of cumulative data, India remained the top importer from Jan to Apr, with an import volume of 19,808.6 tons, a 472% year-on-year increase, accounting for 57.5%, which was followed by Brazil and Turkey, with the three countries accounting for 84% of the total imports. Additionally, imports from Tanzania, the United States, and other regions also experienced explosive growth.

In terms of destinations, Jiangsu led the imports in Apr, with 4,150 tons, a 1243.8% year-on-year increase, accounting for 33.3%. From Jan to Apr, the import posted a year-on-year growth of 704% to reach 11,704 tons, occupying 34% of the total imports. Jiangsu, Shandong, and Anhui ranked top three, with imports from these regions accounting for nearly 75% in Apr and nearly 70% cumulatively from Jan to Apr.

It is worth noting that Xinjiang, as a major production area for cotton linter in China, also witnessed a significant increase in imports, reflecting the tight supply and high prices of Chinese cotton linter. In Apr, imports of Xinjiang were 1,213.3 tons, a 1,484.1% year-on-year increase, and the cumulative import volume from Jan to Apr was 1,837 tons, a 934% increase.

In summary, due to the limited supply and rising prices of Chinese cotton linter, downstream enterprises' demand for imported linter has rapidly increased. Import volume in Apr and in the first four months of this year have nearly increased by 200% year-on-year. Jiangsu, Shandong, and Anhui are the main importers, while Xinjiang's imports are rapidly growing. India, Brazil, and Turkey are the major origins, accounting for over 80% both monthly and cumulatively.