China's demand for cotton fabrics did not substantially change in the past years, reflecting much higher consumption in China and a simultaneous rise in domestic production.
Although China's use and production of cotton fabrics sharply expanded in the past decade, China's need for foreign fabrics remained unaffected, at the same time.
After falling by the end of past decade, imports of lightweight cotton fabrics stabilized at about 580,000 tons.
They rose 6.90% to 591,000 tons in the past year, reflecting more demand for Pakistani fabrics while imports from India surged 390% in volume terms.
The two countries only account for a very small part of China's demand for foreign cotton lightweight fabrics of less than 200g per square meter, however.
The largest share of the market is taken by Hong Kong, with fabrics often re-exported after being imported from China and transiting through free trade zones.
Import prices did not change in the last year in this category classified under HS number 5208.
Japan sold higher-valued fabrics to China with an average price of US$3.46 per kilo, compared with a price of only US$0.34 for Indian products, mainly greige fabrics.
China's imports of heavier fabrics of more than 200 grams per square meter (HS 5209) were unchanged in volume terms at 772,000 tons.
Imports increased by 11% in value terms, reflecting a 11% rise in prices and more imports of higher-valued products.
Shipments from Japan rose no less than 42% to US$201 million while imports from Thailand and Italy also surged, but from very low levels.
Average price of Japanese fabrics was up 14% at US$4.22 while prices of Thai and Italian products were also substantially above the average level of US$1.18 per kilo.
Since China's need for quality fabrics will probably expand in the coming years, Hong Kong suppliers will probably be able taking advantage of this long-term trend.
They still have 32% of direct sales to China and probably more when taking account of shipments through free-trade zones.
