Multiple pressures hit north Indian cotton yarn, Delhi prices drop

01 Aug '24

4 min read

Multiple pressures hit north Indian cotton yarn, Delhi prices drop

Pic: Adobe Stock

Insights

North India's cotton yarn trade is under pressure due to low demand and increased imports, leading to a ₹2 per kg price drop in Delhi, though prices remained stable in Ludhiana.
Panipat also saw a decline in recycled polyester fibre and cotton comber prices, while recycled yarn prices stayed steady.
Traders expect demand to improve next week.

North India's cotton yarn trade is under significant pressure due to slow demand and the influx of imported supplies. Consequently, cotton yarn prices dropped by ₹2 per kg in the Delhi market, while they remained stable in Ludhiana. According to trade sources, mills pressuring stockists and traders to lift cotton yarn led to a reduction in offer prices. Panipat, India's major home textile hub, also experienced a decline in recycled polyester fibre and cotton comber prices, although recycled yarn prices remained stable. Traders expect demand to improve next week following the easing of traffic restrictions due to the annual Kanwar Yatra in western Uttar Pradesh.

In the Delhi market, cotton yarn prices fell by ₹2 per kg due to weak demand. Despite sluggish demand, mills have been pressuring traders and stockists to fulfil previous orders, prompting them to lower prices to attract buyers. A trader in Delhi told Fibre2Fashion, "The market is still experiencing slow demand from the fabric and garment industry, but spinning mills are insisting on the lifting of cotton yarn as per previous orders. It prompted stockists and traders to ease cotton yarn prices to attract buyers."

In this market, 30 count combed knitting yarn was traded at ₹262-264 (approximately $3.13-3.15) per kg (GST extra), 40 count combed at ₹282-289 (approximately $3.37-3.45) per kg, 30 count carded at ₹237-239 (approximately $2.83-2.85) per kg, and 40 count carded at ₹262-265 (approximately $3.13-3.18) per kg today.

Ludhiana also witnessed poor demand, but cotton yarn prices remained stable. Trade sources indicated that the continuous influx of imported yarn is contributing to sluggish demand in the lower yarn market, with an estimated 40-50 per cent of Ludhiana's yarn market now occupied by imported yarn. Tencel yarn, in particular, is gaining market share over cotton and polyester-cotton yarn.

In Ludhiana, 30 count cotton combed yarn was sold at ₹260-270 (approximately $3.10-3.22) per kg (inclusive of GST); 20 and 25 count combed yarn were traded at ₹250-260 (approximately $2.99-3.10) per kg and ₹255-265 (approximately $3.05-3.16) per kg, respectively; and carded yarn of 30 count at ₹240-245 (approximately $2.87-2.93) per kg today, according to trade sources.

Panipat saw a decline in cotton comber and recycled polyester fibre prices due to slow demand from the home textile industry, with cotton comber prices dropping by ₹1-2 per kg. The recent reduction in virgin polyester fibre prices has also put pressure on recycled polyester fibre producers, leading to a ₹3 per kg decrease. Traders anticipate demand improvement next week with the lifting of traffic restrictions in western Uttar Pradesh.

In Panipat, 10s recycled PC yarn (Grey) was traded at ₹80-84 (approximately $0.96-1.01) per kg (GST paid). Other varieties and counts were noted at 10s recycled PC yarn (Black) at ₹53-56 (approximately $0.63-0.67) per kg, 20s recycled PC yarn (Grey) at ₹94-100 (approximately 1.13-1.20) per kg and 30s recycled PC yarn (Grey) at ₹130-135 (approximately $1.56-1.62) per kg. Cotton comber prices were noted at ₹96-98 (approximately $1.15-1.17) per kg and recycled polyester fibre (PET bottle fibre) at ₹72-76 (approximately $0.86-0.91) per kg today.

In north India, cotton prices remained stable amid slow buying from spinning mills. Despite a decline in ICE cotton prices the previous evening, local demand remained weak, and global trade sentiment was bearish. However, ginners and stockists were reluctant to sell at lower prices.

Today, 100 bales of 170 kg cotton arrived in north India, with Haryana being the only state recording arrivals. Cotton arrivals in Rajasthan have dwindled to nearly zero, and Punjab's season has already ended. Most of the cotton traded in north Indian markets was from stocks. Cotton prices in Punjab ranged from ₹5,800 to ₹5,825 (approximately $70.18-70.48) per maund of 37.2 kg, while in Haryana, prices ranged from ₹5,700 to ₹5,725 (approximately $68.99-69.29). In upper Rajasthan, cotton was priced between ₹5,500 and ₹5,800 (approximately $66.90-70.48) per maund, with Bikaner line cotton selling for ₹5,900 to ₹6,000 (approximately $70.18-71.38) per maund. In lower Rajasthan, cotton was priced at ₹54,500 to ₹56,700 (approximately $653.47-689.30) per candy of 356 kg.