Just Sox

Soft cotton prices only temporary

China cotton prices have been falling of late, but analysts are expecting supply-demand factors will drive quotes upward by 2H11.

The earthquake that struck Japan may have cooled cotton spot and future prices in international and China markets, but quotes are not likely to soften through the rest of the year.

After peaking at 31,098 yuan ($4,745) per ton on March 14, domestic spot prices for 328-grade cotton fell nearly 2 percent the following week. Quotes have been sliding since. Compared with March 14 rates, April 2 spot prices are down 4 percent to 29,852 yuan ($4,555) per ton.

But short cotton supply is expected to pull prices back up again by the second half. Zhang Wei, analyst at Guotai Junan Securities, said demand continues to outpace supply, even after new cotton was released in September 2010.

Zhang said, however, that the immediate price drop shows cotton quotes were just artificially high. Even so, while prices are likely to continue falling to mid-2011, they are not expected to fall back to year-ago levels.

As a result, suppliers of cotton-based export products in China are continuing to look for ways to cope with the cost pressure. Mixing less expensive fibers such as polyester into a cotton blend is one of the most common measures taken by apparel makers. At 14,800 to 15,300 yuan ($2,252 to $2,328) per ton in the domestic market, polyester costs nearly 50 percent less than cotton.

Huang Sijing, administration manager at Jiaxing Mengdi Import & Export Co. Ltd, said semi-worsted cotton yarn is adopted for some of its sweaters instead of worsted versions to bring down costs. Huang said the resulting garment has a hand feel similar to worsted fabrics at a cost closer to woolen cotton. Such models are likely to account for a greater share of exports if cotton prices stay at a high level for an extended period of time.

Some companies such as Hangzhou Wantong Trading Co. Ltd are developing branded lines for the domestic market. The apparel maker participated in local trade shows in March 2011 to promote its brand.

Larger enterprises move some production processes to inland provinces. Last year, home textiles manufacturer Ningbo Veken Elite Group Co. Ltd bought two dyeing plants in Jiangxi province. This has enabled the company to offset higher cotton costs with savings in processing expenses.

 

Read the full report at Global Sources, a leading business-to-business media company and a primary facilitator of trade with China manufacturers and India suppliers, providing essential sourcing information to volume buyers through our e-magazines, trade shows and industry research.

About the Author

Global Sources is a leading business-to-business media company and a primary facilitator of trade with China manufacturers, providing essential sourcing information to volume buyers through our e-magazines, trade shows and industry research.

Calida Soft Cotton Short Sleeve Gown

Flip & Tumble Reusable Produce Bags, Set of 5 Flip & Tumble's reusable produce bags are draw-string polyester bags which resist staining and shrinking better than natural fiber bags. Plus, the fine mesh produce bags allow you to use them for smaller bulk items. Breathable, durable polyester; See-through mesh produce bags for easy checkout; Smart alternative to plastic produce bags; Compact & lightweight with drawstring closure; Saves time at ...

4 Pack Oversized Kitchen Towel sets by Cotton Craft - size 20x30 - Pure 100% Cotton - Crisp Basketweave striped pattern with a hanging loop - Highly absorbent, soft & sturdy - in 6 cheerful colors - Spice, Green, Red, Linen, Black & Blue - Easy care machine wash - Coordinating dish cloth sold separately We have been manufacturing home textiles and linens of unsurpassed quality to the highest international standards since 1968. We offer a complete range of luxury, spa, hotel, resort, bath, beach, kitchen, decorative, whimsical, utility, and kids linens. We offer uncompromising quality at the lowest cost by combining our family owned vertically integrated manufacturing with Amazon's world class tec...

4 Pack Oversized Dish Cloth sets by Cotton Craft - size 15x15 - Pure 100% Cotton - Crisp Basketweave striped pattern with a hanging loop - Highly absorbent, soft & sturdy - in 6 cheerful colors Spice, Green, Red, Linen, Black & Blue - Easy care machine wash - Coordinating kitchen towels sold separately We have been manufacturing home textiles and linens of unsurpassed quality to the highest international standards since 1968. We offer a complete range of luxury, spa, hotel, resort, bath, beach, kitchen, decorative, whimsical, utility, and kids linens. We offer uncompromising quality at the lowest cost by combining our family owned vertically integrated manufacturing with Amazon's world class tec...

G & F 1852-3 Women Soft Jersey Garden Gloves, 3-Pairs Green/Pink/Blue per Pack $9.47 ...

TOTO SS114-01 Transitional SoftClose Elongated Toilet Seat, Cotton White $33.41 Color:Cotton, Seat:Elongated The Standard SoftClose Seat features a closed front seat and cover with the SoftClose hinge system. Mounting hardware included. Offered with an elongated or round front....

G & F 1823-3 Just For Kids Soft Jersey Kids Gloves, 3 Pairs Green/Red/Blue per Pack, Kids Size $8.47 SOFT JERSEY -- Assorted Flower Print Jersey KIDS Gloves, Knit Wrist, 5-8 yares...

Pampers Sensitive Wipes ...

Zwipes Microfiber Cleaning Cloths, 36-Pack $22.75 Microfiber contains 90,000 fibers per square inch lifts and holds dust, dirt, grease and spillsLint-free, streak-free clean-ups and cleans with or without chemical cleansersNon-Abrasive: Won?t scratch paint or clear coatAbsorbs eight times its own weight in liquid and dries in half the time as regular cotton towelReusable, machine washable, 12' x 16' cloths...Colors may vary...

Priva Ultra Plus Waterproof Sheet Protector, 34 x 52, White $18.99 Keeps sheets dry all night. Unique brushed polyester fabric channels fluid away from the surface for maximum comfort and ultra-dry surface. Absorbs quickly and locks in moisture for the best in skin care. Goes over the bottom sheet to protect mattress AND sheets from moisture and staining. No more middle-of-the-night bed stripping, simply replace the Priva sheet protector with a fresh one in secon...

Handstands Add-A-Pad Wrist Cushion $5.99 HandStands Add-a-pad Beaded Ergonomic Wrist Cushion...

Aurum Ultra Series - High Speed HDMI Cable (10FT) with Ethernet, Supports 3D & Audio Return Channel - Full HD 1080p, Category 2 Certified Cable [Latest HDMI Version Available] - 10 Feet $8.25 Aurum Cables High quality Certified HDMI Cables providing you with clear, crisp and realistic HD picture. * Enhance your home theater experience * hand crafted Premium Construction * Compatible with HDMI Devices HDMI combines both audio and video into one convenient cable, so it's all you need to connect your HDTV to your A/V receiver Blu-Ray player, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, HD Cable Box, Pers...

Comfortbead Wrist Rest (mouse) $8.67 ALLSOP 29808 Comfortbead Wrist Rest 29808 Mouse Pads & Wrist Rests...

D.E.P.T. Women's Soft Cotton Knit Cardigan Sweater $129.00 This soft cotton cardigan sweater features chiffon ruffle trim at neck-line...

Maggy London Women's Cotton Jacquard Dress $128.00 Cotton...

Cotton Eyed Joe (Salute) $0.99 ...

Sounds Of The City: Manchester $7.00 Track List: DISC ONE: 1. G.T.R. - Ask Me, 2. Soft House Company - What You Need (Sat At Home Mix), 3. FPI Project - Rich In Paradise (Nick Hussey Mix), 4. Cotton Club - Outrage (Club Grooves Mix), 5. LuvDup - Goodtime (E-Lustrious Mix), 6. Ritmo Rivals - Americano Slide (L.A. Underground Mix), 7. Rollin' Gear - I've Got It (Original Mix), 8. Farmer, The - Stomp Yer Feet (Original Mix), 9. E-Lustri...

Soft Cotton County $8.99 ...

IPEVO PadPillow Pillow Stand for the new iPad 3 & iPad 2 & iPad 1 - Charcoal Gray $34.00 Cushy, comfy, cozy-PadPillow pillow stand is designed to keep you and your iPad comfortable. A soft, huggable pillow lets you rest any generation of iPad on your lap or stomach for all those times you'd prefer to skip the desk. PadPillow provides ultimate versatility for your iPad use, all with the comfort of your own body in mind. PadPillow is designed for you, not just your iPad.The pillow is co...

Cotton Candy Pink & Blue Gourmet Salt Water Taffy 1 Pound Bag $4.79 A Delicious cotton candy taffy with bright pink and blue swirls....

Cran Raspberry Candy Gourmet Salt Water Taffy 1 Pound Bag $4.79 A Delicious Cran Rasberry taffy....

Cotton Candy Pink & Blue Gourmet Salt Water Taffy 5 Pound Bag (Bulk) $19.45 A Delicious cotton candy taffy with bright pink and blue swirls....

Just Dance $14.00 Entertainment - Wii...

Petz Fantasy: Moonlight Magic $8.15 Petz, the #1 handheld pet-simulation brand in 2009, is introducing a new nurturing experience with an all-new type of pet: Fantasy Petz! For the first time, discover and take care of your very own fantasy pets. Enter a world of fantasy where you discover mysterious eggs that hatch into cute fantasy creatures in Petz Fantasy?: Sunshine Magic & Petz Fantasy?: Moonlight Magic. Each fantasy creature h...

Petz Fantasy 3D $22.99 Discover and take care of your very own realistic fantasy pets in an immersive, whimsical 3D environment full of floating islands, magical lands and snow-topped mountains. Nurture magical eggs that hatch surprising pets, such as unicorns, dragons and red pandas, each with their own personality and power. Bond with your fantasy pets as they react to you in 3D like actual pets, teach them their magi...

AmazonBasics Universal Travel Case for Small Electronics and Accessories (Black) $18.79 Offering a rigid exterior of molded-EVA plastic and a soft, scratch-free interior, the AmazonBasics Universal Travel Case will protect your small electronics (GPS units, mobile phones, digital cameras, the Flip, iTouch and much, much more) plus cables, extra batteries and other accessories. The removable wrist strap makes it easy to transport. Universal Travel CaseAt a Glance Rigid molded-...

Spot Polishing 4 Inch COMPLETE KIT (FOR USE WITH ANY DRILL OR ROTARY) $22.96 Chemical Guys Now offers the kit with an attachment for your drill, making the kit user friendly for any drill owners. (Backing Plate also still works with Rotary buffer if you like) TSpot Polishing Kit, Ideal for any job. These pads attach to rotary buffer or drill. The ideal kit for spot detailing/wheel & Rim Detailing/ Headlight restoration and much much more. THIS KIT WILL WORK ON YOUR HI...

Sock and Glove: Creating Charming Softy Friends from Cast-Off Socks and Gloves $6.74 Thirteen charming softy projects using common socks and gloves that are quick to make - and certain to amuse and delight. Softcover Penguin Putman Inc...

Ami Ami Dogs 2: More Seriously Cute Crochet $6.96 This Amigurumi handbook is filled with new breeds of adorable miniature puppies. Photos inside reveal the secret, devilish world of your little friends, along with easy-to-follow patterns to help you create them. These sweet creatures are perfect additions to any Amigurumi collection. The world needs more Ami Ami Dogs ...

Peter Rabbit Snuggle (Peter Rabbit Naturally Better) $7.00 Made from organic materials, this cloth book is not only soft and welcoming for a baby but also safe.  A flannel fabric in natural color , with colored stitching and appliqued character images, this cloth book also comes in a recycled gift box.  Featuring Peter Rabbit and his friends in a soft new artwork style, the book's simple text focuses on bedtime and, when the eyes finally close, ...

Soft-Fit Women's 100% Cotton Rolled Cuff Socks Reach for a sock the gives you the dual experience of comfort and protection in the Soft-Fit Women 100% Cotton Rolled Cuff Sock! This non-slip sock accommodates your feet if you are suffering from diabetes, arthritis, circulation problems or sensitive feet. The seamless, elastic-free construction prevents further foot problems while you enjoy a relaxing and comfortable feel. Enjoy a constriction-f...

Soft-Fit Women's Cotton-Rich Crew Socks Pure, soft cotton socks offer enhanced comfort to sensitive feet. A touch of spandex allows the sock to stretch to fit your foot without binding or sagging. The seam-free interior and contoured heel and toe pockets ensure a rub-free sock for casual or dressy wear....

Ss6 12 Pairs Pack Men Women Cotton Soft White & Blue Reinforcement Sport Athletic Ankle High Low Cut Socks This is ankle high Socks....

Champion Women's Fitness Bra $22.00 Medium control, wire-free sports bra, No closure - goes on over the head. Comfortable stretch cotton, Double-layer cups for a natural shape. Full coverage over bust for great movement. Champion, Style Number: 7904....

MJ Soffe Juniors Authentic Short $7.99 The MJ Soffe® Knit Athletic short is made of a cotton/polyester knit blend and has an elastic waistband for extra movement and flexibility during any heavy-duty workout....

Champion Women's Action Tech Sports Bra #029 $31.00 The Action-Tech® sports bra from Champion® gives women the competitive edge in comfort with a no-hardware, single-piece contruction. This innovative bra has a step-in / pullover design and Champion's unique, moisture-control inner lining....

RollerCoaster Tycoon 2 $2.48 More depth detail and creative freedom!Product InformationThe best-selling game that started the "Tycoon" craze ramps up the funwith all-new rides features and gameplay that make creating and running theultimate amusement park more fun more creative and totally addictive! Those of you that think you have mastered the previous 'Tycoon' games andcreated the most nauseating coaster designed the ultim...

DOSCH Textures: Fabrics $109.00 Seamlessly tileable multi-layer textures for 3D-design, animation, CAD or print applications. All textures (depictions) which can be applied to 3D models in order to lend them an individual appearance. The textures can readily be used for 3D-visualization, animations, and for all kinds of computer graphics and web-design uses. This product line got DOSCH DESIGN started in the 1st half of the 1990s...

Kiddopotamus Snuzzler Complete Head and Body Support, Ivory Terry $6.40 Product Description The award-winning Snuzzler provides the ideal support for baby's back and head, adjusting upward as baby grows. Keeps baby perfectly supported and comfortable in any seat, and in any season! The soft terry cloth material provides comfort to baby all year long, and is perfect for warmer climates. The unique contours work easily with all harness straps, including 3 and 5 point ha...

Skip Hop Hug and Hide Activity Toy, Owl $16.95 ...

Cloud B Gentle Giraffe Sound Machine with Four Soothing Sounds $18.99 ...