Entering late May, the Zhili Cotton Cloth City has entered its traditional off-season, with overall trading volumes shrinking noticeably. However, industry data shows that fabric prices have not followed suit with significant declines, remaining largely stable. Behind this phenomenon lies a deepening divergence in demand across different fabric categories—some niche segments are still bucking the trend, while others face the dual pressure of inventory buildup and price adjustments.
Category Divergence: Children's Wear Fabrics Emerge as Off-Season Highlight
Among the varieties, polyester-cotton 65/35 has become one of the few movers in this round. Specifically, the T65/C35 21*21 108*58 63" polyester-cotton yarn-dyed fabric, known for its crisp texture and durability, is being purchased in large quantities by local children's wear manufacturers. The T65/JC35 60/2*30 158*76 63" vertical cord fabric has also attracted merchants from various regions, primarily used for men's and women's trousers and children's school uniforms. Apart from spot transactions, most orders are for sample selection and subsequent ordering, indicating sustained demand from downstream brands.
Cotton poplin has also performed actively, driven by seasonal demand for shirts. In contrast, inventories of polyester-cotton 80/20 and 90/10 remain high, reflecting the weakening competitiveness of high-polyester-content fabrics in the current market—cost advantages have not fully translated into orders.
Weak Categories: Corduroy and Bedding Fabrics Under Pressure
Cotton corduroy has performed poorly overall, with only the 21-wale specification seeing limited transactions. While this category typically relies on autumn/winter garment orders and is expected to weaken during the off-season, the depth of the decline exceeds that of previous years, suggesting that downstream garment companies are more cautious in their inventory preparation.
Bedding fabrics have entered a slow sales phase, but the polyester-cotton CVC65/35 40*40 100*80 104" specification continues to move, mainly used for duvet covers and pillowcases. This indicates that while overall demand in the home textile sector has slowed, specific high-value specifications can still maintain some shipment volume. Cotton flannel has seen a continuous decline in transactions, with prices undergoing a stable adjustment, reflecting the seasonal retreat of thermal fabrics.
Rayon fabric has maintained acceptable transaction volumes, but actual transaction prices have shown room for concessions, indicating increased buyer bargaining power as sellers are forced to make price cuts to ensure shipments.
Functional and Casual Fabrics: Two Different Trajectories
Anti-static fabrics have seen limited overall trading volumes, but prices have remained stable. Among them, anti-static fine twill (32/2*32/2 100*53 63") continues to sell well, recognized by manufacturers of labor protection products. The demand for such fabrics is tied to rigid needs such as industrial safety and occupational protection, making it less susceptible to seasonal fluctuations. While sales volumes are unlikely to increase significantly in the near future, price changes are expected to be limited.
Casual fabrics have seen overall sales volumes remain low, with prices stable. Heavy canvas (C 10*10 70*42 47") remains the main seller, with coarse yarn-dyed fabrics continuing to perform well in categories such as school bags, and cotton small-check fabrics maintaining a brisk trend. These fabrics are closely linked to luggage, outdoor products, and other categories, demonstrating greater demand resilience compared to pure garment fabrics.
Market Outlook: Adjustment Remains the Key Theme
Based on comprehensive information, total sales volumes are unlikely to see significant growth in the coming period. The off-season effect will further manifest, and prices still have room for adjustment. For fabric buyers, the current period represents a window to lock in some high-value orders, particularly for moving varieties such as polyester-cotton yarn-dyed fabrics and anti-static fine twill. Close monitoring of inventory changes is advised to avoid passive price increases later due to supply tightness.