Nylon FDY prices are undergoing a quiet bottom confirmation. On July 10, 2026, the benchmark price stood at 16,250 CNY/ton, down only 0.31% from the start of the month. However, the real focus is not on daily fluctuations but on its position in the medium- to long-term range: a gap of 3,700 CNY from the annual high of 19,950 CNY and only 2,075 CNY above the low of 14,175 CNY. This places the current price in a typical mid-low zone, closer to the bottom than the top.
Price Position: Industrial Implications of the Mid-Low Range
The figure of 16,250 CNY/ton sits below the annual median of 17,062.5 CNY, indicating a generally weak market. Yet there is resilience: the annual average of 15,619 CNY is about 4% lower, meaning prices have been lower for most of the past 12 months. Over the year from July 2025 to July 2026, nylon FDY experienced a deep correction from 19,950 to 14,175 CNY, a decline of nearly 29%, followed by repeated bottoming in the 15,000-16,500 range. Such patterns are common in the chemical fiber sector, often signaling the tail end of capacity reduction or demand restructuring.
For upstream producers, current prices are approaching cash cost levels for some mills. While the main raw material CPL (caprolactam) has also weakened, its decline has been slower than FDY, compressing processing margins. Industry data shows operating rates in the nylon sector remained at 65%-70% in the first half of 2026, significantly lower than 78% in the same period of 2024. This suggests low prices are forcing out inefficient capacity, likely increasing industry concentration.
Upstream-Downstream Transmission: From Procurement to Export Pricing
Mid-low prices directly influence procurement behavior for downstream weaving and garment companies. At 16,250 CNY/ton, prices are 18.5% cheaper than the peak a year ago but still 14.7% above historical lows. This "neither here nor there" position often leads buyers to wait—fearing buying too early or missing the bottom. However, industry patterns show mid-low zones rarely last more than two quarters, as upstream losses force mills to cut output to support prices.
On the export front, nylon FDY export prices track domestic trends. Current levels make Chinese products competitive internationally, offering a 5%-8% discount compared to Korean and Taiwanese equivalents for Southeast Asian buyers. However, exchange rate fluctuations and shipping costs partly offset this advantage. In the first half of 2026, nylon FDY exports grew about 12% year-on-year, mainly to Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Turkey, confirming the price-driven export boost.