On July 8, the Shengze yarn market reported a set of seemingly calm figures: from pure cotton to pure polyester, from polyester-viscose to rayon, the ex-factory prices of almost all varieties were flat compared to the previous trading day. However, beneath the surface of zero price changes, the transaction structure of several categories is undergoing noteworthy shifts, hinting at the direction of the next phase of price games.
Structural Divergence in Transactions, Air-Jet Weaving Demand Stabilizes Pure Cotton Yarn
Overall sales of pure cotton yarn showed little change, but the 32s and 40s specifications clearly became the main drivers of turnover. This pattern is not accidental – the demand for air-jet looms in producing nylon-cotton fabrics is currently high, and 32s and 40s pure cotton yarns are the core raw materials for this process. Feedback from the industrial cluster indicates that mills around Shengze, mainly using air-jet weaving, have relatively full order books in the short term, directly locking in the price floor for these two counts. Notably, high-count combed yarns like J40S (26,800 RMB/ton) and J32S (24,800 RMB/ton) remained unchanged, suggesting no new purchasing impulse from the high-end fabric market downstream, which overall remains in a destocking or need-based replenishment mode.
Polyester-Viscose Yarn Volume Rises Against the Trend, Blended Varieties Show Renewed Vitality
Against the backdrop of generally light trading, the transaction volume of polyester-viscose yarn 40s/2 saw a continuous increase. This signal deserves attention from buyers: polyester-viscose blended yarns are typically used in larger quantities for autumn/winter fabrics. An early increase in volume may indicate that some apparel brands are preparing materials for the second half of the year. On the price side, quotes for polyester-viscose yarns also remained stable, with T65/R35 40S/2 at 21,800 RMB/ton, unchanged from the previous day. The combination of rising volume and stable prices usually suggests that the demand side is actively building inventory; once raw material prices fluctuate, the upward price elasticity of this variety could be much higher than others.
Rayon Yarn: Calm Surface, Prelude to Adjustment
Rayon yarn was the most noteworthy variety of the day. Although prices were flat across the board, trading volume was low, creating a subtle contrast with the stable trend in the viscose staple fiber market. The average price of viscose staple fiber remained around 14,200 RMB/ton, with a stable trading atmosphere, but the firmness of upstream raw materials has not effectively transmitted to the yarn end. Public industry data shows that the price range for rayon yarn from 10s to 50s is 15,700-20,700 RMB/ton, with the spread over viscose staple fiber at a relatively narrow level for the year. This implies compressed profit margins for yarn mills. If end-user demand remains weak, rayon yarn prices will likely see a downward adjustment in the near future to re-align with raw material costs and market acceptance.
Polyester Staple Fiber Price Edges Up, Pure Polyester Yarn Yet to Follow
The polyester staple fiber market showed a slight shift: the center price for 1.56*38mm cotton-type fiber was around 7,550 RMB/ton, edging up from earlier levels. This is linked to recent crude oil price fluctuations and the PTA industrial chain. However, pure polyester yarn prices have not adjusted yet, with 45s remaining stable at 15,200 RMB/ton. In the short term, mills may choose to absorb the cost pressure internally to maintain shipment volume. But if polyester staple fiber prices continue to rise, a follow-up increase in pure polyester yarn is only a matter of time. For foreign trade orders relying on pure polyester yarn, the current price window may be a relatively favorable opportunity to lock in prices.