Polyester staple fiber prices are undergoing a notable decline this year. As of June 26, 2026, the benchmark price fell to 7,457.08 RMB/ton, down 4.78% from the beginning of the month. This level sits right at the mid-point of the past year's price range—neither a trough nor a peak—but the downward trend has drawn close attention across the textile supply chain.
Price Range and Volatility Profile
Over the past 12 months, polyester staple fiber has demonstrated considerable price elasticity. The lowest price stood at 6,267.17 RMB/ton, while the highest reached 8,426.02 RMB/ton, yielding a spread of 2,158.85 RMB/ton between extremes. The current price of 7,457.08 RMB/ton is 968.94 RMB below the top and 1,189.91 RMB above the bottom. The annual average of 6,954.57 RMB/ton is about 7.2% lower than the current level, indicating that prices have spent most of the year at lower levels, and the recent decline is merely a reversion to the mean.
A daily drop of 0.72% may seem modest, but it represents a moderate-to-strong single-day fluctuation for this chemical fiber category. Such consecutive declines suggest a bearish market sentiment, with holders eager to offload inventory and buyers adopting a wait-and-see approach.
Upstream-Downstream Transmission
The price pressure on polyester staple fiber stems from a dual squeeze on both the cost side and the demand side. Weaker PTA and MEG markets have directly undermined cost support for polyester staple fiber. Meanwhile, downstream yarn mills are operating at low capacity, with grey fabric inventories piling up, and weaving mills are purchasing only for essential needs. This situation of falling raw materials and sluggish finished goods has forced polyester staple fiber producers to cut prices to maintain cash flow.
In regional industrial clusters like Jiangsu and Zhejiang, polyester staple fiber plants face significant destocking pressure. Traders in Shengze and Shaoxing report a noticeable drop in inquiries since June, with actual transactions involving wider price negotiation margins. Some small factories have begun reducing output or planning maintenance shutdowns to cope with the risk of price inversion.
Industry Impact and Price Outlook
The current price level presents both opportunities and risks for different segments of the supply chain. For polyester staple fiber producers, 7,457 RMB/ton is close to the breakeven point for some companies. If prices continue to fall, industry operating rates may decline further. For downstream spinning mills, lower raw material costs help ease profit pressure, but only if end-user orders pick up.
Historically, polyester staple fiber prices face a demand trough in summer. July and August are typically off-seasons for the weaving industry, compounded by factors like high-temperature power cuts, leaving little momentum for a short-term rebound. However, the current mid-range price also provides a safety margin for stocking up ahead of the peak fourth-quarter season.