On August 3, the Shengze yarn market maintained a moderate trading atmosphere, with most prices unchanged from the previous day, yet volume divergences emerged across specific counts. Polyester-viscose 40s/2 saw increased trading, while viscose 30s moved actively, driven by diamond cotton fabric demand. In contrast, polyester-cotton 65/35 recorded minimal transactions, indicating a downstream shift from conventional to differentiated specifications.
Market Overview: Stable Quotations, Selective Movement
Price lists for pure cotton yarn remained identical to August 2, with 32S at 23,700 CNY/ton and 40S at 24,900 CNY/ton; combed J32S and J40S held at 24,800 and 26,800 CNY/ton, respectively. Pure polyester yarn stayed flat, with 45S at 15,800 CNY/ton. Polyester-viscose and polyester-cotton blends also held steady, such as T65/R35 32S at 14,400 CNY/ton and T65/C35 32S at 16,300 CNY/ton. Viscose yarn remained stable except for 30S, with 40S at 19,500 CNY/ton.
Stable prices reflect a temporary equilibrium in raw material costs. Polyester staple fiber (1.56*38 cotton type) averaged around 7,700 CNY/ton, while viscose staple fiber averaged 1,420 CNY/ton, both showing no significant fluctuation, providing support for yarn prices. However, the sustained stability of viscose staple fiber, coupled with heavy reliance on a single fabric type for viscose yarn demand, suggests that this momentum may not be sustainable.
Industry Impact: Demand Shifts Toward Differentiated Counts
The rise in polyester-viscose 40s/2 trading indicates that weavers are experimenting with blended yarns to balance cost and quality. As a two-ply yarn, 40s/2 is often used in medium-to-heavy fabrics, and its increased volume may signal early preparation for autumn/winter fabrics. Conversely, the sluggish trading of polyester-cotton 65/35 implies shrinking demand for this conventional blend, with orders possibly shifting to higher polyester content like T80/C20 or T90/C10 to reduce costs.
Viscose 30S movement is tied directly to diamond cotton fabric, which is favored for its shimmering effect in apparel. However, single-fabric support is limited. If viscose staple fiber prices decline, profit margins for viscose yarn will compress, potentially triggering price adjustments. The current average of 1,420 CNY/ton sits at a historical midpoint, with downside risk, meaning the "stable adjustment" of viscose yarn could turn into a downward correction rather than a mild sideways move.
For buyers, the current price stability offers a window to lock in orders, especially for pure cotton and pure polyester yarns, given no imminent raw material hikes. However, caution is advised regarding potential viscose yarn volatility, avoiding excessive inventory buildup before any adjustment. For exporters, the increased volume in polyester-viscose 40s/2 suggests overseas demand for differentiated blends, warranting expanded supply capabilities in such counts.