Wool raw material imports surged 26%, while exports of wool tops to India and Turkey skyrocketed over 50%—the first five months of 2026 paint a picture of a textile industry undergoing division and restructuring.
According to public data from China Customs, total imports and exports of wool textile raw materials and products from January to May reached $6.06 billion (about RMB 42.1 billion), up 8.16% year-on-year. On the surface, this signals a steady recovery, but splitting the data reveals two distinct growth stories.
Import Side: Price-Driven Restocking
The most striking figures come from imports. Wool textile imports hit $1.71 billion, surging 26.65%, far outpacing export growth. Core raw wool and semi-processed wool imports were valued at $1.1 billion, up 34.04%, yet the total volume of 130,000 tons was almost flat year-on-year.
This means growth was entirely price-driven—rising international spot prices inflated the total import bill. Domestic wool textile companies did not shy away from high prices; instead, they accelerated restocking under price hike expectations, reflecting confidence in downstream orders.
From a supply chain perspective, the global wool sourcing map is shifting. Traditional suppliers like Australia and New Zealand see rising prices, while shares from South America and Central Asia are increasing. This diversification is reshaping procurement strategies for Chinese firms.
Export Side: Emerging Markets Reshape Demand
Export data tells a different story. Total exports reached $4.35 billion, up 2.29% year-on-year; in RMB terms, it was RMB 30.23 billion, down 1.01%, highlighting a volume-price divergence.
The real driver was semi-finished products to emerging markets. Wool tops stood out: exports to India reached 9,086 tons, soaring 77.22%, and to Turkey 1,165 tons, up 54.69%. These surges are no accident—India's textile industry is moving up the value chain, while Turkey leverages its geographic advantage as a Eurasian processing hub. Both are releasing concentrated demand for semi-processed wool.
Wool and cashmere raw material-heavy products all saw growth, with rates of 5.11% and 6.97% respectively, indicating rising overseas recognition of high-end natural fibers. Chinese firms are shifting from 'selling garments' to 'selling intermediates,' making semi-finished exports a stable growth anchor.
Industry Impact: Cost Pressure Meets Order Boom
The trade data presents both opportunities and challenges across the value chain.
For upstream raw material traders, high import prices coupled with restocking demand compress short-term margins, but diversified sourcing channels mitigate long-term risks. For primary wool processors, booming orders from India and Turkey provide stable export routes, though over-reliance on a few markets is a concern.
Downstream weaving and apparel firms face a dual squeeze: rising raw material costs erode profits, while consumer demand for high-end wool products grows only modestly, limiting price pass-through.
From a macro perspective, the 'East rising, West falling' trend in global wool trade is accelerating. China is evolving from a mere processing base into a full-chain hub encompassing raw material procurement, semi-finished exports, and high-end manufacturing.