Product intelligence · HS 520210 · 2024 data

Cotton: yarn waste (including thread waste)

Global exports of cotton: yarn waste (including thread waste) totalled $66,144,092 in 2024, a -14.5% change from the previous year. Traded by 96 countries across 700 bilateral corridors, with demand from 151 importing markets. The long-term trend is stable.

Data: OECD BIMTS · Coverage: 19952024 · Updated: 2026-07-17

Global trade

$66.1M

-14.5% YoY

3Y / 5Y CAGR

-1.9%

5Y: +3.6%

Supply structure

Moderately concentrated

HHI 0.204

Volatility

Low

Score 6/100

1.

Market movement

In 2024, cotton: yarn waste (including thread waste) trade exhibited significant decline, with global flows reaching $66,144,092 and a three-year compound annual growth rate of -1.9% (five-year: +3.6%). The all-time peak of $155,025,737 was recorded in 2013; the current level is 57% below that high-water mark.

Over the 30-year observation window (19952024), 55% of years recorded positive growth, indicating a mildly upward trajectory with periodic contractions. Trend momentum is strengthening (+3.3% acceleration).

The World Trade Flows Characterization classifies cotton: yarn waste (including thread waste) as "One-way trade" in the medium price range price segment, providing additional context for market positioning and competitive dynamics.

2.

Supply & demand structure

The supply side is moderately concentrated (Herfindahl-Hirschman Index 0.204). The three largest exporters — Uzbekistan ($30.6M), Türkiye ($8.1M), and United States ($7.2M) — collectively dominate supply flows. The leading exporter has grown at +5.3% over the last three years.

On the demand side, importer concentration is diversified (HHI 0.114). The three largest import markets are Russia ($16.9M), Vietnam ($9.1M), and Türkiye ($7.2M). The largest importing market sources from 4 different supplying countries.

Estimated substitution elasticity: -18.56. Buyers are highly price-sensitive and can switch between suppliers relatively easily.

The dominant trade corridor is Uzbekistan → Russia at $13.3M, representing 78.3% of the importer's total demand.

3.

Risk profile & trade outlook

The volatility score for cotton: yarn waste (including thread waste) is 6 out of 100, classified as low. Trade flows are relatively stable compared to other HS6 products, suggesting mature supply chains and predictable demand.

For market entrants, contracting demand signals caution before committing resources. A moderately concentrated market rewards differentiated positioning and strategic partner selection.

Data confidence is rated "High" based on reporting coverage and consistency across OECD member and partner countries.

Historical evidence

Annual trade value 19952024

Peak: $155,025,737 in 2013. Currently 57% below peak.

YearGlobal trade (USD)YoY growth
2015$75,691,174-32.5%
2016$72,637,873-4.0%
2017$84,836,433+16.8%
2018$66,558,929-21.5%
2019$55,472,715-16.7%
2020$50,024,795-9.8%
2021$69,975,161+39.9%
2022$71,921,129+2.8%
2023$77,343,343+7.5%
2024$66,144,092-14.5%

Top exporting countries

Ranked by export value of cotton: yarn waste (including thread waste) in 2024.

View all 96 exporters →

Top importing markets

Largest import destinations for cotton: yarn waste (including thread waste).

View all 151 markets →

Leading trade corridors

Largest bilateral export flows for cotton: yarn waste (including thread waste), ranked by value. Click any country to view its full profile.

#ExporterImporterValue 20243Y CAGR
1UzbekistanRussia$13.3M+9.8%
2KazakhstanRussia$3.6M+311.7%
3KyrgyzstanRussia$158.3K+789.2%
4SyriaRussia$154.4K-8.7%
5BelarusRussia$82.6K-1.6%
6PakistanRussia$65.7K+62.5%
7IndonesiaRussia$62.4K
8MoldovaRussia$30.1K

Showing top 8 of 10 corridors with available data for 2024.

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Sources, definitions & methodology

Data source

OECD Bilateral International Merchandise Trade Statistics (BIMTS). Aggregated from 312M+ reported trade records across 200+ countries and 5,300+ HS6 product codes. Coverage: 19952024.

Key indicators

HHI (Herfindahl-Hirschman Index): market concentration, 0 = fully diversified, 1 = single player. CAGR: compound annual growth rate over a stated period. Volatility score: trade value variability, 0–100 scale.

How this page is made

All statistical content on this page is data-driven, composed programmatically from live OECD trade records. No generic AI-generated prose is used. Analytical paragraphs combine real data points with factual interpretation. This page was last refreshed on 2026-07-17.