The off-season effect has arrived as expected at the Zhili Cotton Fabric Market. During the week from May 28 to June 3, overall trading volume remained modest, with most categories experiencing varying degrees of contraction. However, fabric prices stayed largely stable, suggesting a wait-and-see attitude among suppliers rather than panic selling.
Product Divergence: Children's Wear and Workwear Drive Selective Demand
T/C blended fabrics emerged as one of the few bright spots. Specifically, T/C yarn-dyed fabric T65/C35 21x21 108x58 63" saw a notable increase in sales, driven by local children's wear manufacturers. This category is favored for spring/summer children's apparel and school uniforms due to its balance of stiffness and breathability. Meanwhile, T65/JC35 60/2x30 158x76 63" vertical micro-rib fabric attracted interest from merchants across regions, used mainly for trousers and school uniforms, with orders primarily placed on a sample basis rather than for spot delivery.
Antistatic fabrics, while not seeing a surge in overall volume, showed clear divergence within subcategories. Antistatic fine twill 32/2x32/2 100x53 63" continued to sell well, gaining strong recognition from protective clothing manufacturers. Prices for this segment remained stable and are unlikely to fluctuate significantly in the near term.
In contrast, cotton corduroy performed poorly, with only the 21-wale specification generating modest sales. Cotton flannel saw continued declines in both volume and price, with adjustments underway. Bedding fabrics were generally sluggish, except for CVC T/C 65/35 40x40 100x80 104", which remained in demand for quilt covers and pillowcases.
Inventory Pressure and Price Negotiation: Rayon and Casual Fabrics Under Strain
Rayon fabrics maintained moderate transaction volumes, but actual selling prices included concessions, indicating stronger bargaining power among downstream buyers. T/C 80/20 and 90/10 specifications saw high inventory levels, creating real pressure for some traders.
Casual fabrics overall experienced limited sales but stable prices. Heavy duck canvas C 10x10 70x42 47" remained the top seller, while coarse yarn canvas continued to move well for backpack use, and cotton mini-check fabrics also maintained good momentum. However, the industry expects casual fabrics to enter a period of stable adjustment next week.
Market Outlook: Limited Aggregate Growth but Structural Opportunities Remain
Looking ahead, the Zhili market has entered its traditional off-season, with overall sales unlikely to expand significantly and further price adjustments possible. Yet divergence across categories will become more pronounced:
- T/C yarn-dyed and antistatic fabrics will maintain relatively active trading due to rigid demand from children's wear and workwear segments.
- Cotton corduroy and rayon fabrics face greater destocking pressure, with increased likelihood of price concessions.
- Certain T/C bedding fabric specifications will retain support from seasonal home textile replacement demand.
For buyers, this is a good time to adjust procurement rhythms and look for off-season price windows. For mills, controlling production of high-inventory T/C categories and pivoting toward antistatic or fine twill niches may be a more prudent strategy.