Product intelligence · HS 520535 · 2024 data

Cotton yarn: (not sewing thread), multiple or cabled, of uncombed fibres, 85% or more by weight of cotton, less than 125 decitex (exceeding 80 metric number), per single yarn, not for retail sale

Global exports of cotton yarn: (not sewing thread), multiple or cabled, of uncombed fibres, 85% or more by weight of cotton, less than 125 decitex (exceeding 80 metric number), per single yarn, not for retail sale totalled $6,175,741 in 2024, a -3.3% change from the previous year. Traded by 35 countries across 128 bilateral corridors, with demand from 63 importing markets. The long-term trend is rapid growth.

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

Global trade

$6.2M

-3.3% YoY

3Y / 5Y CAGR

+17.2%

5Y: +2.2%

Supply structure

Concentrated

HHI 0.404

Volatility

Low

Score 11/100

1.

Market movement

In 2024, cotton yarn: (not sewing thread), multiple or cabled, of uncombed fibres, 85% or more by weight of cotton, less than 125 decitex (exceeding 80 metric number), per single yarn, not for retail sale trade exhibited slight decline, with global flows reaching $6,175,741 and a three-year compound annual growth rate of +17.2% (five-year: +2.2%). The all-time peak of $48,992,582 was recorded in 1997; the current level is 87% below that high-water mark.

Over the 30-year observation window (19952024), 34% of years recorded positive growth, indicating significant cyclicality with frequent contractions. Trend momentum is strengthening (+22.7% acceleration).

The World Trade Flows Characterization classifies cotton yarn: (not sewing thread), multiple or cabled, of uncombed fibres, 85% or more by weight of cotton, less than 125 decitex (exceeding 80 metric number), per single yarn, not for retail sale 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 concentrated (Herfindahl-Hirschman Index 0.404). The three largest exporters — India ($7.7M), Egypt ($2.2M), and United States ($1.9M) — collectively dominate supply flows. The leading exporter has grown at +6.7% over the last three years.

On the demand side, importer concentration is moderately concentrated (HHI 0.195). The three largest import markets are Myanmar ($2.1M), Thailand ($1.5M), and Bangladesh ($782.5K). The largest importing market sources from 3 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 India → Myanmar at $2.1M, representing 99.3% of the importer's total demand.

3.

Risk profile & trade outlook

The volatility score for cotton yarn: (not sewing thread), multiple or cabled, of uncombed fibres, 85% or more by weight of cotton, less than 125 decitex (exceeding 80 metric number), per single yarn, not for retail sale is 11 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. The concentrated supply structure suggests high barriers but also potential opportunity if dominant suppliers face disruption or capacity constraints.

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

Historical evidence

Annual trade value 19952024

Peak: $48,992,582 in 1997. Currently 87% below peak.

YearGlobal trade (USD)YoY growth
2015$8,284,864-23.8%
2016$5,839,459-29.5%
2017$4,395,442-24.7%
2018$7,493,755+70.5%
2019$5,551,479-25.9%
2020$4,200,523-24.3%
2021$3,840,519-8.6%
2022$7,843,916+104.2%
2023$6,384,653-18.6%
2024$6,175,741-3.3%

Top exporting countries

Ranked by export value of cotton yarn: (not sewing thread), multiple or cabled, of uncombed fibres, 85% or more by weight of cotton, less than 125 decitex (exceeding 80 metric number), per single yarn, not for retail sale in 2024.

View all 35 exporters →

Top importing markets

Largest import destinations for cotton yarn: (not sewing thread), multiple or cabled, of uncombed fibres, 85% or more by weight of cotton, less than 125 decitex (exceeding 80 metric number), per single yarn, not for retail sale.

View all 63 markets →

Leading trade corridors

Largest bilateral export flows for cotton yarn: (not sewing thread), multiple or cabled, of uncombed fibres, 85% or more by weight of cotton, less than 125 decitex (exceeding 80 metric number), per single yarn, not for retail sale, ranked by value. Click any country to view its full profile.

#ExporterImporterValue 20243Y CAGR
1IndiaMyanmar$2.1M-10.2%
2IndiaThailand$1.5M+59.5%
3ThailandPakistan$1.1M
4TürkiyePoland$943.8K+384.6%
5IndiaPakistan$898.7K-52.7%
6United StatesBangladesh$775.0K+6134.0%
7SyriaEgypt$621.6K+96.1%
8EgyptTürkiye$499.9K+412.3%

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

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Get the full intelligence picture

Interactive charts, AI-powered opportunity scoring, competitor benchmarking, and real-time alerts for cotton yarn: (not sewing thread), multiple or cabled, of uncombed fibres, 85% or more by weight of cotton, less than 125 decitex (exceeding 80 metric number), per single yarn, not for retail sale. Free to start — no credit card required.

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.