The import of Indian cotton linter experiences the rollercoaster ride

The imports of Indian cotton linter saw a significant fluctuation, with a sharp increase in the first half of this year and a rapid decline in the second half, resembling a "rollercoaster" ride.

The average import volume in Jan-Oct was 3,235 tons. Among them, the import volume in Apr was the highest, about 6,137 tons, nearly 90% higher than the average. The import volume in Sep was the lowest, about 53.2 tons, more than 98% below the average. The import volume in Oct was the second lowest, about 327.2 tons, nearly 90% below the average.

Affected by the fluctuations in import volume, the import prices also saw increased volatility. The average import price in Jan-Oct was $315.2/mt. Among them, the import price in Aug was the highest, about $410.3/mt, 30% higher than the average price. The import price in Sep was the lowest, about $187/mt, around 41% below the average price.

The import volume of Indian cotton linter accounted for nearly 68% of the national total in Jan-Feb, gradually decreasing to the lowest of 1.0% in Sep, and then slightly increasing to about 7.2% in Oct.

The import volume of Indian cotton linter was large in 2021, about 57,777.8 tons, an increase of 273.3% year-on-year, accounting for 29.6%. In 2022, the import volume was smaller, about 10,095.5 tons, a decrease of 82.5% year-on-year, occupying 11.2%. In 2024, due to the large import volume in the first half, the cumulative import volume in Jan-Oct remained good, about 32,346.8 tons, an increase of 39.9% year-on-year, taking up 38.8%, surpassing the total import volume of the entire year of 2022-2023.

In summary, influenced by factors such as product cost-effectiveness, changes in end-user demand, and the arrival of Chinese cotton linter on the market, the import volume of Indian cotton linter saw significant fluctuations this year. Imports increased in the first half and decreased in the second half, with the monthly volume dropping from 6,137 tons in Apr to 53 tons in Sep, and the proportion falling from nearly 70% at the beginning of the year to about 1.0% in Sep, showing a clear "rollercoaster" trend. However, despite the small import volume in the second half, the large volume in the first half still established the overall import position for the year, with the proportion still reaching nearly 39% for the first ten months, firmly securing the top position in the import market, and surpassing the total import volume of the whole year of 2022-2023.