Product intelligence · HS 520645 · 2024 data

Cotton yarn: (not sewing thread), multiple or cabled, of combed fibres, less than 85% 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 combed fibres, less than 85% by weight of cotton, less than 125 decitex (exceeding 80 metric number) per single yarn, not for retail sale totalled $10,956,305 in 2024, a +18.7% change from the previous year. Traded by 55 countries across 307 bilateral corridors, with demand from 98 importing markets. The long-term trend is declining.

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

Global trade

$11.0M

+18.7% YoY

3Y / 5Y CAGR

-3.5%

5Y: +3.3%

Supply structure

Concentrated

HHI 0.268

Volatility

Low

Score 9/100

1.

Market movement

In 2024, cotton yarn: (not sewing thread), multiple or cabled, of combed fibres, less than 85% by weight of cotton, less than 125 decitex (exceeding 80 metric number) per single yarn, not for retail sale trade exhibited strong growth, with global flows reaching $10,956,305 and a three-year compound annual growth rate of -3.5% (five-year: +3.3%). The all-time peak of $98,808,576 was recorded in 2013; the current level is 89% below that high-water mark.

Over the 30-year observation window (19952024), 45% of years recorded positive growth, indicating significant cyclicality with frequent contractions. Trend momentum is strengthening (+3.4% acceleration).

The World Trade Flows Characterization classifies cotton yarn: (not sewing thread), multiple or cabled, of combed fibres, less than 85% 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 0.268). The three largest exporters — China ($6.6M), Italy ($3.1M), and India ($1.4M) — collectively dominate supply flows. The leading exporter has grown at -2.2% over the last three years.

On the demand side, importer concentration is diversified (HHI 0.088). The three largest import markets are Italy ($2.2M), Malaysia ($1.6M), and Vietnam ($894.2K). The largest importing market sources from 13 different supplying countries.

Estimated substitution elasticity: -16.97. Buyers are highly price-sensitive and can switch between suppliers relatively easily.

The dominant trade corridor is China → Malaysia at $1.5M, representing 95.4% of the importer's total demand.

3.

Risk profile & trade outlook

The volatility score for cotton yarn: (not sewing thread), multiple or cabled, of combed fibres, less than 85% by weight of cotton, less than 125 decitex (exceeding 80 metric number) per single yarn, not for retail sale is 9 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, strong demand tailwinds create a favourable entry environment. 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: $98,808,576 in 2013. Currently 89% below peak.

YearGlobal trade (USD)YoY growth
2015$11,933,939-46.9%
2016$10,252,926-14.1%
2017$9,123,104-11.0%
2018$10,559,417+15.7%
2019$9,322,644-11.7%
2020$7,245,725-22.3%
2021$12,204,480+68.4%
2022$11,545,487-5.4%
2023$9,227,023-20.1%
2024$10,956,305+18.7%

Top exporting countries

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

View all 55 exporters →

Top importing markets

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

View all 98 markets →

Leading trade corridors

Largest bilateral export flows for cotton yarn: (not sewing thread), multiple or cabled, of combed fibres, less than 85% 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
1ChinaMalaysia$1.5M+14.2%
2ChinaItaly$1.4M-25.5%
3ChinaTaiwan$1.2M+253.1%
4ChinaVietnam$728.4K+181.8%
5IndonesiaMalaysia$572.8K+273.1%
6ChinaCambodia$570.3K+41.4%
7ItalySouth Korea$506.2K-6.7%
8ItalyGermany$462.7K+23.8%

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 combed fibres, less than 85% 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.