On July 29, the textile commodity market showed a clear divergence: PTA led the sector with a 0.40% daily gain, followed by polyester staple fiber up 0.17%, while raw cotton was the only decliner, falling 0.26%. This contrast reflects the distinct supply-demand dynamics and cost transmission paces of the chemical fiber and cotton textile chains.
Chemical Fiber Sector: Cost-Driven and Demand-Resilient
PTA closed at 6017.34 yuan/ton, with a year-on-year surge of 23.73%, far exceeding the 13.89% increase of polyester staple fiber and the 18%-25% range of polyester filament yarns (POY, DTY, FDY). This indicates that PTA, as a key upstream raw material, is strongly passing price pressure downstream. Polyester staple fiber rose 0.17% to 7511.33 yuan/ton, with a 13.89% annual gain, suggesting that downstream spinning and weaving demand remains resilient despite high prices.
Acrylonitrile and spandex posted year-on-year gains of 34.18% and 22.34%, respectively, further confirming the strength of the chemical fiber upstream chain. Acrylonitrile's surge is linked to tight global ABS supply, while spandex growth is driven by sustained demand for athleisure apparel. For buyers, this means the cost floor for chemical fiber fabrics has been raised and is unlikely to drop soon.
Cotton Textile Sector: Raw Cotton Under Pressure, Yarn Prices Sticky
In contrast to chemical fibers, the cotton textile sector showed a pattern of "stable yarn but falling cotton." Raw cotton fell 0.26% to 17,564.67 yuan/ton, with its annual gain narrowing to 12.90%, well below PTA and acrylonitrile. Cotton yarn 21S and 32S prices were flat at 23,300 and 24,675 yuan/ton, with annual gains of only 5.11% and 4.56%, indicating limited downstream absorption capacity.
The slight decline in raw cotton may be due to expectations of new crop arrivals and sluggish demand. Sticky yarn prices suggest textile mills are squeezed between rising raw material costs and weak pricing power. For knitting and weaving companies using cotton yarn, this is a critical window to monitor for procurement opportunities.
Viscose and Rayon Yarn: Stability with Underlying Concerns
Viscose staple fiber and rayon yarn prices were unchanged at 14,200 and 17,925 yuan/ton, with annual gains of 9.40% and 4.06%, respectively. The modest rise in viscose and near-flat rayon yarn indicate balanced supply-demand in regenerated cellulose fiber, but the slower pass-through suggests softening end-market demand for viscose-based apparel.
Nylon Family: Stable, Awaiting Catalysts
Nylon DTY, FDY, and POY prices showed no daily change but recorded annual gains of 12.57%, 10.74%, and 16.18%, respectively. Prices lack short-term catalysts, but upstream caprolactam and nylon 6 chip trends will determine direction. For nylon fabric buyers, the current window is stable and suitable for need-based orders rather than stockpiling.