India becomes largest cotton exporter to China

16 Jul '12

2 min read

India has overtaken the US to become the largest cotton exporter to China.

Between September 2011 and May 2012, China imported 1.783 million tons of cotton from India, compared to import of 993,000 tons of cotton from the US.

During the same period, China also imported 374,000 tons of cotton from Australia, 332,000 tons from Brazil and 242,000 tons from Uzbekistan.

These five countries together accounted for about 86.5 percent of China’s total cotton imports during the period.

Last month, China imported 476,000 tons of cotton, showing a 296.6 percent or 356,000 tons rise over 120,000 tons of cotton imported in June last year.

During September 2011 to June 2012 period, China imported 4.7288 million tons of cotton, registering an increase of 2.5182 million tons or 113.9 percent year-on-year.

From 2003 to 2010, China’s average cotton imports for months of July and August were 207,000 tons and 221,000 tons respectively, with maximum imports of 290,000 tons and 286,000 tons in July and August 2005, respectively.

However, based on the current trend of cotton imports this year, Chinese cotton imports in July and August this year is likely to surpass average cotton imports during the same months in previous years.

The volume of Chinese cotton imports is projected to be around 300,000 tons during the July and August months, which would take the total cotton imports this year to about 5.3 million tons, which would be a record high.

Fibre2fashion News Desk - China

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