http://www.emergingtextiles.com Textile and Clothing Trade Information en 3 July 2008 http://www.emergingtextiles.com/cgi-bin/search.pl/art/080703-cotton-price Cotton prices significantly fell in the past three days in New York, after an official report predicted higher planting areas in the United States than anticipated by market analysts. U.S. acreage may have actually been overestimated by the report and global ending stocks would consecutively tumble, therefore boosting cotton prices to higher levels. The volatility in the international market is far from over. 3 July 2008 http://www.emergingtextiles.com/cgi-bin/search.pl/art/080703-polyester-eu-import EU imports of polyester staple fibers from Taiwan sharply rebounded over the first quarter while shipments from South Korea significantly fell. The EU import market was once again driven by anti-dumping decisions while shipments of low-priced PSF from India and Indonesia further surged. Imports by Germany and the U.K. struggled, by contrast with surging imports by French buyers. 2 July 2008 http://www.emergingtextiles.com/cgi-bin/search.pl/art/080702-viscose-market-price At last, viscose prices started stabilizing in China after fiber producers decided to avoid any new decrease in contract prices in July. Raw material costs are also being stabilized while viscose yarn prices did not decline in the last two weeks, in addition. Consumption of viscose yarns is however expected decreasing in the coming months, possibly triggering a new fall in prices. 2 July 2008 http://www.emergingtextiles.com/cgi-bin/search.pl/art/080701-apparel-import-transportation-cost Although transportation costs soared in the last twelve months in line with surging oil prices, the impact on U.S. apparel sourcing strategies remains to be seen. Imports from Asian countries did not seem to have been affected in the last year and the first quarter of 2008, according to our calculations of freight and insurance costs compared with total customs value. Benefiting from much lower transportation costs, Central American countries may however take advantage of the rising freight costs, at the end. 2 July 2008 http://www.emergingtextiles.com/cgi-bin/search.pl/art/080702-currency-report Currency trends may seriously affect the global clothing trade in the coming months. A series of Asian currencies sharply fell against the US dollar in the first part of the year while a few others clearly rose, with a dramatic change in terms of competitiveness. Exports from China and Indonesia may be affected by the strength in their currencies while India and Pakistan may take advantage of the new situation. Asian governments are trying to limit any further decline in their currencies, however. 2 July 2008 http://www.emergingtextiles.com/cgi-bin/search.pl/art/080702-clothing-eu-import-china EU imports from China were weaker in June in former quota categories which are being monitored in Brussels. A slowdown in annual growth rate was also observed in the past month, although shipments from China are still surging in the categories where quotas have been removed this year. There is no dramatic increase at the same time, compared with the low level in former European quotas. 1 July 2008 http://www.emergingtextiles.com/cgi-bin/search.pl/art/080701-clothing-eu-import Unit prices of EU clothing imports from various origins slightly declined over the first quarter in euro terms, actually hiding a rise in prices in US$ terms. Large variations in prices were observed depending on origins and categories, after compiling official data from the European Union. China sharply lowered its prices, probably due to the removal in EU quotas and surging competition between exporting companies. The strength in the euro clearly helped buyers and sellers in absorbing the rise in production costs in Asia. 1 July 2008 http://www.emergingtextiles.com/cgi-bin/search.pl/art/080701-polyester-market-price Polyester Prices declined in the last week in China after significantly rising under higher raw material costs. Demand is being depressed by latest increases in fiber prices with operating rates falling at filament weaving facilities. Higher electricity prices and higher costs for dye stuff and printing chemicals are also taking their toll on China's fiber processors. 30 June 2008 http://www.emergingtextiles.com/cgi-bin/search.pl/art/080630-cotton-price Cotton prices were last week expected further rising in the coming days, in line with lower U.S. production forecast. India's government may also prepare a ban on cotton exports which would result in higher international prices. The fall in the dollar and the surge in commodity prices boosted cotton futures in the last week in New York. Prices may further increase but the commodity bubble may also burst under lower global consumption. 30 June 2008 http://www.emergingtextiles.com/cgi-bin/search.pl/art/080630-polyester-intermediate Polyester chain prices started declining in the last week although crude oil prices were reaching a new historical high above US$140 per barrel. China's textile industry does not easily accept a rise in raw material costs, therefore putting pressure on polyester and intermediate prices in Asia. While spot prices are declining, PTA contract prices were nominated at a much higher level for July deliveries, especially in China.