U.S. Cotton Sewing Thread Imports

In April 2023, after two months of decline, there was significant growth in overseas purchases of cotton sewing thread, when their volume increased by 238% to 70 tons. In general, imports continue to indicate a pronounced expansion. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, cotton sewing thread imports soared to $1.1M (IndexBox estimates) in April 2023. Over the period under review, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern.

Imports by Country

Greece (22 tons), China (22 tons) and India (9.4 tons) were the main suppliers of cotton sewing thread imports to the United States, together accounting for 75% of total imports.

From April 2022 to April 2023, the biggest increases were in Greece (with a CAGR of +41.4%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest cotton sewing thread suppliers to the United States were Italy ($348K), Greece ($200K) and China ($151K), with a combined 63% share of total imports.

Greece, with a CAGR of +25.4%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports by Type

Cotton; sewing thread, containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, not put up for retail sale (36 tons), cotton; sewing thread, put up for retail sale (34 tons) and cotton; sewing thread, containing less than 85% by weight of cotton, not put up for retail sale (427 kg) were the main products of cotton sewing thread imports to the United States.

From April 2022 to April 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the major product types, was attained by cotton; sewing thread, containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, not put up for retail sale (with a CAGR of +9.1%), while imports for the other products experienced mixed trend patterns.

In value terms, cotton; sewing thread, containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, not put up for retail sale ($742K) constituted the largest type of cotton sewing thread supplied to the United States, comprising 67% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by cotton; sewing thread, put up for retail sale ($351K), with a 32% share of total imports.

Import Prices by Country

In April 2023, the cotton sewing thread price stood at $15,724 per ton (CIF, US), shrinking by -49.6% against the previous month. Overall, the import price showed a noticeable curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in March 2023 when the average import price increased by 90% month-to-month. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $31,223 per ton, and then declined significantly in the following month.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of origin: the country with the highest price was Italy ($92,286 per ton), while the price for Pakistan ($3,999 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From April 2022 to April 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Japan (+9.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform