Textile Raw Material Market Diverges: Viscose Yarn Edges Up Amidst Silk and PTA Pressure

The textile raw material market sent out clear divergence signals in mid-June. According to industry public data on June 12, 2026, only two commodities in the textile sector posted daily price increases, while four declined, resulting in an overall average daily change of -0.06%. Behind this slight fluctuation lie distinct supply-demand dynamics across different categories.

Viscose Yarn and Cotton: Limited Resilience in a Weak Market

Viscose yarn led the gainers with a 0.14% daily increase, rising from 17,825 yuan/ton to 17,850 yuan/ton, up 2.88% year-on-year. Cotton followed with a 0.05% gain to 17,350.67 yuan/ton, representing a 16.85% year-on-year increase. The relative strength of these two fibers reflects sustained rigid demand for natural and regenerated fibers in the downstream market. However, the modest gains suggest that buyers remain cautious, with no signs of large-scale inventory replenishment.

In contrast, prices for cotton yarn 21S, 32S, polyester yarn, viscose staple fiber, and spandex remained flat. This indicates a stalemate across most textile raw materials amid tepid overall demand. For fabric buyers, the current price range may offer a relatively stable window, but they should remain alert to potential cost pass-through to grey fabrics and finished products.

Polyester Chain Under Pressure: PTA and Polyester Staple Fiber Lead Declines

Raw silk posted the largest daily drop of -0.68%, falling from 440,400 yuan/ton to 437,400 yuan/ton, with a year-on-year decline of 7.70%—the only negative year-on-year change among monitored items. The decline in raw silk is closely tied to increased cocoon supply and sluggish export orders for silk products. For silk processing enterprises in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, this means lower raw material costs but also fiercer competition for end-product pricing.

Polyester staple fiber and PTA fell 0.24% and 0.18%, respectively, to 7,870.61 yuan/ton and 6,619.08 yuan/ton. Although the daily declines are small, the year-on-year gains of 20.43% and 35.62% indicate that prices remain historically high. As the upstream source of the polyester chain, any easing in PTA prices could ripple down to polyester filament and staple fiber. While prices of polyester POY, DTY, and FDY held steady on June 12, FDY had already seen a slight decline the previous day, suggesting a bearish sentiment for polyester products in the near term.

Acrylonitrile and Spandex: High-Level Plateaus

Acrylonitrile and spandex prices remained unchanged at 9,933.33 yuan/ton and 29,833.33 yuan/ton, respectively, but their year-on-year gains were 24.17% and 21.77%. The high levels of these two items are mainly due to tight upstream feedstock supply and maintenance shutdowns at some plants. For producers of acrylic fiber, ABS plastics, and elastic fabrics, cost pressure will persist. Buyers should incorporate these costs into pricing models for long-term contracts to avoid margin erosion from sudden raw material fluctuations.

Practical Recommendations

For Buyers - For viscose yarn and cotton, current prices are at short-term highs but with limited volatility; moderate purchasing on demand is advisable to avoid missing stable supply while waiting for price drops. - For raw silk, consider phased purchasing to lock in lower costs during the price decline, while monitoring cocoon procurement prices. - For PTA and polyester products, given their high year-on-year gains and short-term weakness, adopt a wait-and-see approach with quick procurement for urgent orders, awaiting clearer trend signals.

For Foreign Trade Companies - When signing export contracts, include price fluctuation clauses linking core raw materials like PTA and polyester staple fiber to quotes, to hedge against both exchange rate and cost risks. - For raw silk export orders, leverage current low prices to negotiate medium- to long-term agreements with customers, securing profit margins. - Closely track maintenance schedules for acrylonitrile and spandex plants, and build safety stock in advance to avoid potential supply disruptions.