23 June 2003 - US imports of carded cotton yarns began declining in April while imports of combed cotton yarns slowed down with Pakistan submitted to a dramatic fall in shipments while Canada and Mexico benefited from a clear rebound in sales to the US.

After rising in the first quarter, US imports of carded cotton yarns were down 2.12% in April in volume terms, at 6,747 tons.

Imports finally rose 1.42% in volume terms in the first four months of the year (latest available data) while increasing by 2.92% in value terms at US$55 million.

Average unit value rose 1.48% in the same period and compared with last year at US$2.23 per kilo. The rise in prices is mainly due to higher cotton prices.

Pakistan again losing market shares

Although still largest supplier, Pakistan is increasingly losing ground on US carded cotton yarn market. Shipments were down 11.40% in April and 12.34% in the January-April period at 6,661 tons.

Canada is not far from ranking first after its exports were up 16.36% in April, rising 15.22% in the first four months.

US imports from Mexico are finally rebounding, up 17.15% in April with an average growth of 1% in the first four months.

Brazil and Bahrain continued enjoying a boom in sales of carded cotton yarns to the United States with exports up 292% and 343% in April, respectively.

Imports from Uzbekistan and Egypt fell at the same time as exporters from these countries clearly shifted to sales of combed cotton yarns to the United States.

Egypt's shipments of carded cotton yarns to the US fell 18.43% in volume terms in April while exports of combed cotton yarns were up no less than 346%.

In the January-April period, Egypt became the third largest supplier in this category 301 with exports up 555% in volume terms and 466% in value terms.

After less rapidly rising in the first quarter, US imports of combed cotton yarns from Uzbekistan surged in April with a 47% growth in volume terms.

China rapidly approaching

Mexico also did well in April thanks to an increase of 37% in shipments to the US. Imports from China also began surging with a 74% rise in exports of combed cotton yarns to the United States.

Although from very low levels, imports from Vietnam are also rapidly increasing, up 63% in April.

Swiss exports nearly tripled in volume terms in the first four months. Switzerland even was US sixth largest supplier of combed cotton yarns in value terms in April thanks to the very high unit value of its fine yarns, at US$7.93 per kilo.

Average unit value of Italian combed cotton yarns was US$5.45 per kilo at the same time while ranging from about US$2.20 up to US$2.80 for Asian suppliers.