However, U.S.A. is still No. 1 supplier to Japan for the use of denim, and coarse count yarn. Imports from Brazil/Syria/Greece declined respectively to 126,000 bales, down 16%, 32,000 bales, down 15% and 11,000 bales, down 61% from last season.
On the contrary, only imports from India remarkably increased to 16,000 bales, up 31% from the previous season, mainly because of their continuous increase of production and their competitive price range. U.S.A., Australia and Brazil account for 83% of total imports of Japan. In all likelihood this tendency will continue for years to come.
Cotton Consumption Mill use in Japan continued to decline from a peak of 3,500,000 bales in 1988/89 to 660,000 bales in 2005/06.