I. China's cotton yarn imports totaled 153kt in Dec 2025

In Dec 2025, China's cotton yarn imports hit a new annual high of approximately 153kt, an increase of about 18.7kt compared to November, and a month-on-month rise of 13.94%, aligning with the market's expectations for expanded import volumes. In 2025, cumulative imports of cotton yarn totaled about 1.3342 million tons, decrease of 36.7kt or about 2.67% compared to the total import volume of the previous year.

The core driver behind the increase in December 2025 cotton yarn imports was the direct benefit of a strengthening RMB exchange rate. Starting from late November, the RMB has consistently appreciated against the US dollar, a trend that has continued to the present. As of now, both the spot exchange rate and the three-month forward rate have fallen below the 7.0 mark. This has directly and significantly widened the profit margin for imports, incentivizing traders to intensify their purchasing efforts during the year-end window.

II. China's cotton yarn imports by origin in Dec 2025

In Dec, China's imports of Vietnamese cotton yarn saw a modest increase to 72.3kt, accounting for 47.25% of the total. Imports of Pakistani cotton yarn climbed to 2.7kt during the month, representing a month-on-month increase of 48.25%. Imports of Indian cotton yarn rose to 16.8kt. Imports of Uzbekistani cotton yarn reached 5,148.5 tons, a substantial month-on-month surge of 167.9%, which aligns with earlier expectations of a gradual recovery in import volumes. Imports of Bangladeshi cotton yarn amounted to 11.5kt, up 55.73% compared to the previous month.

III China's cotton yarn imports by structure in Dec 2025

In Dec, the import share of carded single yarn below 8s accounted for 21.07% in December, totaling 32.2kt. The import share of carded single yarn 8-25s stood at 54.6%, with volume rising month-on-month from November to 83.5kt, making it the main driver of recent import growth. Imports of carded yarn 30-47s totaled 11.9kt, accounting for 7.75%. Imports of combed cotton yarn 60-47s were around 9.4kt, declining month-on-month.

Throughout 2025, China's largest imported cotton yarn specification was concentrated in carded single yarn 8-25s, totaling approximately 701.2kt, with its share rising slightly to 52.56% compared to 2024. In addition, imports of carded single yarn below 8s also increased in 2025, reaching a total of 323.1kt and accounting for 24.22%, ranking second among imported specifications. Imports of carded single yarn 30-47s totaled 87.6kt, accounting for 6.56%, which, although declining year-on-year, still ranked third.

IV. China's cotton yarn imports by locations of importers in Dec 2025

According to the cotton yarn imports by locations of importers, Zhejiang province has been the top in 2025, with a total of 430.4kt, representing an increase of 11.73% compared to 2024. Guangdong Province ranked second, with imports increasing significantly by 12.42% year-on-year to a total of 241.1kt. Fujian Province saw a year-on-year decline of 18.68% in import volume, totaling 225.6kt. Shanghai ranked fourth, also recording growth compared to the previous year, with a total of 163 tons. Import volumes in all other regions were less than 100kt.

V. China's blended cotton yarn imports in Dec 2025

China's imports of blended cotton yarn reached 18.2kt in Dec 2025, the highest level for the year, representing a month-on-month increase of 35.11%. From January to December 2025, cumulative imports of blended cotton yarns reached 162.4kt, an increase of 8.76% year-on-year. For the full year, carded single yarn 8-25s accounted for about 52.24%, surpassing half of the total, with a total of 88.9kt imported. This was followed by combed single yarn 25-30s, with a total annual import volume of 17.8kt, accounting for approximately 15.03% of the import share.