Price spread cotton vs PSF in China, India 2024

In October 2024, the price gap between cotton and polyester staple fiber (PSF) narrowed in India and Pakistan as cotton prices dropped sharply due to new crop arrivals and falling global prices. In contrast, China saw a wider cotton-polyester spread, with cotton prices rising on hopes of an economic stimulus to counter a slowing economy. While lower cotton prices in South Asia may temporarily reduce the shift toward polyester, the anticipated drop in polyester prices driven by declining crude oil and intermediate costs could impact this trend. Cotton prices, however, may stabilize or even rise with increasing Asian demand and high farming costs. Looking ahead, sustained high input costs could discourage cotton cultivation, potentially tightening supply and boosting cotton prices in the long term, ultimately enhancing profitability for farmers.