The volume of Taiwanese exports of Polyester Textured Yarns in HS category 540233 has fallen 23 per cent, according to data from Taiwan's Customs covering January to July 2005.
In value terms, the fall was slightly lower with a 13 per cent decrease for the first seven months of the year compared to the same period in 2004.
Volume has been falling month-on-month throughout the year.
February sales hit a low with 44 per cent less sales than the corresponding month in 2004. July sales were 10 per cent lower than July last year.
Exports to four crucial Asian markets, accounting for half of all Taiwanese shipments, were down, fuelling the overall decrease in shipments.
Hong Kong and China, the top two destinations for Taiwanese Polyester Yarn exports, took in 22 and 30 per cent less respectively.
There has been a slight revival in sales to Hong Kong in June and July with shipments up 5 per cent for both months compared to June and July last year.
The July sales increase in Hong Kong has seen it s share of total Taiwanese sales go up to a quarter in value terms.
Prices falling to $2.10 per kilo may have attracted interest from Hong Kong importers.
Sales to China have been falling in each month of the year for 2005 despite prices falling to as low as $1.83 per kilo in July.
Spain and the United States increased purchases of Taiwanese Polyester Yarn by 61 and 123 per cent respectively in 2005.
Shipments increased in volume terms to Italy by 10 per cent and a slight increase to Vietnam of 2 per cent.
Apart from such increases, other markets outside of the leading destinations such as Brazil and Belgium have bought less so far this year.
Prices, on the whole, have increased 14 per cent in 2005 to $1.92 per kilo.
Hong Kong, China and Japan paid respectively $2.17, $2.12 and $2.19 per kilo.
Buyers in Thailand and the US paid the same as the world average price with most other countries paying less.
Vietnamese importers were paying around $1.43 per kilo.
All countries, with the exception of the US and the Philippines, paid more than they did last year.
Buyers in the US paid 7 per cent less than in 2004 whilst for the Philippines, prices fell 9 per cent.
Prices for the month of July have been kinder than the yearly average with several other countries, such as Thailand, benefiting from reductions compared to July 2004.
