Cotton prices are plummeting due to increased production in major cotton producing areas around the world and decreased demand for clothing in countries such as China. International cotton prices have fallen by more than 25% compared to a year ago, and this trend is having a variety of effects on the apparel industry as a whole.

Causes of Cotton Price Decline

The main reasons for the decline in cotton prices are as follows:

Increased Production: In major cotton producing countries such as Brazil, planting area has increased and crop conditions have been good, resulting in a significant increase in production. In particular, Brazil has emerged as the world's largest exporter of cotton in the 2023-2024 season, and plans to expand its planting area by 17% in the 2024-2025 season as well.
Decreased Demand: Demand for clothing is decreasing due to the global economic downturn. In particular, the slowdown in economic growth in China, which was the world's largest consumer of cotton, has had a significant impact on the decline in clothing demand. In addition, decreased consumption and increased inventories of global SPA brands have contributed to the decline in cotton demand due to reduced new orders.

Impact of Cotton Price Decline

The decline in cotton prices is having the following effects on the apparel industry as a whole:

Stabilization of Clothing Prices: The decline in cotton prices has contributed to the stabilization of clothing prices due to lower raw material costs for clothing. However, the apparel industry is experiencing difficulties due to the combination of sluggish consumption, which makes it difficult to sell products themselves.
Difficulties in the Spinning Industry: The domestic spinning industry, which buys cotton and processes it into yarn, is under pressure to lower the unit price of yarn supplied due to the decline in cotton prices. In addition, as a bumper cotton crop is expected in the United States and Australia this year as well, production volume and inventory are expected to increase, and the stability of cotton prices is likely to continue.

Future Outlook

Cotton prices are expected to remain stable for the time being. The trend of increasing production and decreasing demand is expected to continue, and accordingly, the stabilization of clothing prices and the difficulties of the spinning industry are expected to continue.

In conclusion, the decline in cotton prices is having a variety of effects on the apparel industry as a whole, and continuous attention and analysis are needed in the future.