In the second quarter of 2026, the bulk textile commodity market experienced an unusually sharp divergence. Among the 17 monitored varieties, only 6 posted sequential gains, while 11 declined—11 of which fell by more than 5%, dragging the sector’s average change to -5.15%. This pattern of ‘few rising, many deeply falling’ indicates that the textile raw material market is undergoing a profound adjustment, with supply-demand logic diverging completely across categories.
Spandex and Viscose Buck the Trend
Spandex led all segments with a 12.66% quarterly gain, closing at RMB 29,666.67/ton, up 21.09% year-on-year. This rally is closely tied to sustained demand for elastic fabrics in sportswear and yoga apparel. Viscose staple fiber followed with a 7.74% rise to RMB 14,200/ton, up 9.06% YoY, supported by dissolving pulp cost support and supply tightness from plant maintenance. Cotton also recorded a moderate 4.56% gain, with YoY growth of 15.88%, driven by lower global production forecasts and restocking by domestic mills.
Rayon yarn, 21S cotton yarn, and 32S cotton yarn all posted modest gains between 1.44% and 3.02%, indicating relatively smooth cost pass-through in the cotton spinning chain. However, these gains lag behind upstream raw materials, suggesting margin compression for spinners.
Nylon and Polyester Under Heavy Pressure
In stark contrast, the nylon and polyester sectors experienced broad declines. Nylon POY fell the most at 13.20%, closing at just RMB 13,650/ton; nylon FDY and nylon DTY dropped 12.72% and 12.49%, respectively. Acrylonitrile, a key nylon feedstock, also fell 12.89%. This synchronized decline across the nylon chain points to weak demand as the core issue.
Polyester products performed equally poorly. Polyester DTY, POY, and FDY fell 11.89%, 11.41%, and 10.59%, respectively, while polyester staple fiber and polyester yarn dropped 10.52% and 6.56%. PTA, the primary raw material for polyester, declined 11.79% to RMB 5,823/ton. This data clearly outlines a full-chain price collapse from PTA to polyester yarn, reflecting significantly reduced purchasing appetite from downstream weaving and apparel sectors.
The Logic Behind the Divergence
The root cause lies in structural shifts in end-use consumption. On one hand, demand for elastic fabrics in athleisure and yoga wear remains resilient, supporting spandex prices. On the other, traditional apparel—especially woven products—has seen noticeably weaker demand for polyester and nylon. Moreover, the continuous release of new chemical fiber capacity over the past two years has exacerbated oversupply, with the pressure concentrated in Q2.
From a regional perspective, polyester clusters in Shengze and Changxing faced high inventory pressure, forcing some mills to cut prices to destock. In contrast, spandex and viscose hubs in Xiaoshan and Shaoxing benefited, maintaining higher operating rates. This regional profit divergence will influence investment and production schedules in the second half.
Implications for Buyers and Exporters
For downstream buyers and foreign trade companies, the current price divergence demands differentiated procurement strategies.
For Buyers - Spandex and viscose prices are at relatively high levels. Advise purchasing on a need basis, avoiding large stockpiles, while monitoring potential price corrections from new capacity in Q3. - Polyester and nylon prices are in a downtrend. Extend procurement cycles to lock in lower costs, but keep an eye on further moves in PTA and acrylonitrile. - Cotton yarn prices are moderate, but cotton’s YoY gain is significant. Consider stocking up before the new crop arrives.
For Foreign Trade Companies - For orders to European and US markets, closely monitor spandex and viscose price volatility and include price adjustment clauses in long-term contracts to hedge against raw material fluctuations. - Polyester and nylon export quotes have room to decline, enhancing price competitiveness in Southeast Asian and South Asian markets, but remain vigilant against anti-dumping risks. - Use futures or forward contracts to hedge price exposure in key raw materials like PTA and cotton to stabilize export margins.
Q2 price data sets the tone for H2: the textile raw material market will remain polarized. Spandex and viscose’s strength is unlikely to fade soon, while polyester and nylon’s weakness will persist until demand recovers or supply actively contracts. Enterprises across the chain should adapt their strategies flexibly based on their positioning.