Chinas polyester filament yarn exports recover slightly in June 2026

In June 2026, the export volume of China's polyester filament yarn (PFY) was 317,100 tons, up 8.24% month-on-month but down 17.14% year-on-year. In the first half of the year, the cumulative export volume reached 2,155,300 tons, up 1.94% year-on-year.

In terms of net exports, the volume in June stood at 313,100 tons, up 8.20% month-on-month but down 17.38% year-on-year. In the first half of the year, cumulative net exports reached 2,132,400 tons, up 2.04% year-on-year.

In June, the export value of polyester PFY was USD 474 million, up 7.81% month-on-month and up 7.65% year-on-year. In the first half of the year, the cumulative export value reached USD 28.109 billion, up 9.38% year-on-year.

In June, the average export price of PFY was $1.49/kg, down 0.4% month-on-month but up 29.93% year-on-year. In the first half of 2026, the average export price was $1.30/kg, up 7.30% year-on-year.

By category, in June 2026, the export volumes of POY, FDY, and DTY were 50,900 tons, 50,100 tons, and 157,300 tons, respectively, with month-on-month changes of -2.67%, +1.60%, and +16.76%, and year-on-year changes of -29.59%, -7.82%, and -21.21%. In June, FDY and DTY exports rebounded, while POY continued to decline.

In the first half of 2026, the cumulative export volume of POY reached 395,100 tons, up 12.13% year-on-year. The cumulative export volumes of FDY and DTY in the first half of the year were 390,900 tons and 1,012,400 tons, respectively, with year-on-year changes of +22.54% and -7.45%. The cumulative year-on-year growth continued to decline in June.

Exports of PFY by variety in June 2026 (Unit: tons)

In June 2026, China's PFY exports showed increasingly prominent regional divergence. The South Asian market emerged as the core highlight for the month, with exports to Pakistan reaching 41,790 tons, a sharp increase of 84.15% month-on-month, and exports to Bangladesh at 17,780 tons, up 58.10% month-on-month. The concentrated restocking by textile mills in both countries drove a significant surge in import volumes, with both achieving year-on-year growth in the same month.

Exports to India declined sharply in the previous period, but experienced a month-on-month rebound of 32.97% in June, marking a phased recovery after the steep drops of the prior two months.

Exports to Vietnam amounted to 34,570 tons, with modest month-on-month and year-on-year increases, showing a stabilizing trend. Exports to Indonesia, however, saw both month-on-month and year-on-year declines, as procurement cooled down.

Exports to Turkey and Brazil both saw slight month-on-month recoveries in June, though the year-on-year figures dropped markedly. Exports to Egypt recorded a sharp month-on-month decline of 18.88%, with its year-on-year figure nearly halved. Exports South Korea edged down slightly, reflecting persistently weak demand in Northeast Asia and North Africa.

In terms of the cumulative data for January-June, the contrast in short- and long-term trends is striking. Following the lifting of India's BIS restrictions, cumulative exports to India in the first half year surged 118.04% year-on-year. Exports to Brazil and Turkey posted modest cumulative increases, while exports to South Korea and Egypt recorded the largest cumulative year-on-year declines. Exports to Vietnam and Indonesia maintained roughly flat compared with the same period last year.

Cumulative exports to Pakistan and Bangladesh were generally weak in the first half, but the strong rebound in June suggests expectations of restocking and recovery in the second half.

Overall, among all markets, only exports to Vietnam, Pakistan, and Bangladesh posted year-on-year growth in June, while most overseas markets continued to face pressures on end-user demand, and therefore China's export growth was entirely driven by the South Asian market.

Major export destinations of PFY in June 2026 (Unit: tons)

In terms of origin, Zhejiang ranked as the largest export origin, with exports of nearly 200,000 tons in June. Its month-on-month surge drove the total export increment, but both the year-on-year growth and the cumulative growth for the first half of the year weakened. Jiangsu ranked second in export volume, with month-on-month and year-on-year declines, though its cumulative growth for the first half reached 16.06%.

Fujian was the only major production region to post positive year-on-year growth for June, with a slight month-on-month increase and double-digit cumulative growth in the first half as well. Shanghai showed a notable month-on-month recovery, but its year-on-year and half-year cumulative declines were substantial.

Shandong and Guangdong had smaller export volumes, with diverging monthly performances, and both saw year-on-year declines in first-half year exports. Other regions experienced slight month-on-month recoveries and modest cumulative growth for the half year.

Overall, the month-on-month recovery in June exports was driven by Zhejiang and Shanghai, with only Fujian showing positive year-on-year performance for the month, while Jiangsu and Fujian demonstrated stronger export performance in the first half of the year.

Major export origins of PFY in June, 2026 (Unit: tons)

In terms of trade modes, general trade remained the absolute dominant method for PFY exports in June, accounting for 266,648 tons, up 10.39% month-on-month, driving the overall recovery in exports. However, exports by that means declined 9.55% year-on-year, while the cumulative January-June figure rose 5.69% year-on-year, making it the only trade mode to post positive growth in the first half year.

Processing with imported materials ranked as the second-largest methanol, with June exports of 49,935 tons, down slightly month-on-month and plummeting 42.22% year-on-year, with a cumulative January-June decline of 9.97%.

Other modes, including special customs supervision logistics, bonded warehousing, border small-volume trade, and other trade, accounted extremely small in volume, all showing sharp year-on-year declines in both June and the cumulative first half year.

Overall, the month-on-month rebound in June exports was entirely supported by the increase in exports by general trade, while processing-related and special-supervision trade demand shrank substantially, and the trade structure continued to concentrate toward general trade.

Trade mode of PFY in June 2026 (Unit: tons)

Trade remedy measures in June 2026:

Turkey initiates anti-dumping investigation on cord fabrics made of high-tenacity polyester yarn (for tire use)

On June 16, 2026, Turkey initiated an anti-dumping investigation on cord fabrics made of polyamide and polyester high-tenacity yarn (for tire use) originating in China and Vietnam.

Brazil issues final anti-dumping ruling on Chinese polyester filament yarn DTY

On June 8, 2026, the Executive Management Committee of Brazil's Foreign Trade Chamber (GECEX) issued Resolution No. 910 of 2026, making a final affirmative anti-dumping ruling on polyester filament yarn DTY [in Portuguese: filamentos texturizados depoliéster (fios de poliéster)] originating in China, imposing anti-dumping duties of US$160.04-788.35 per ton, effective for five years. However, for public interest reasons, the measure has been suspended from implementation. The case covers products under Mercosur tariff codes 5402.33.10, 5402.33.20, and 5402.33.90. This resolution took effect on the date of publication.

Brazil issues final anti-dumping ruling on Chinese polyester knitted and crocheted fabrics

On June 8, 2026, the Executive Management Committee of Brazil's Foreign Trade Chamber (GECEX) issued Resolution No. 909 of 2026, making a final affirmative anti-dumping ruling on polyester knitted and crocheted fabrics (in Portuguese: malhas de poliéster) originating in China, imposing anti-dumping duties of US$1.74-4.81 per kilogram, effective for five years. However, for public interest reasons, the measure has been suspended from implementation. The products concerned fall under Mercosur tariff codes 6004.10.31, 6004.10.32, 6004.10.33, 6004.10.34, 6004.90.30, 6006.31.20, 6006.32.20, 6006.33.20, and 6006.34.20. This resolution took effect on the date of publication.

Morocco initiates anti-dumping investigation on plush blanket fabrics involving China

On May 21, 2026, the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Morocco issued Notice No. DDC/08/2026, initiating an anti-dumping investigation on plush blanket fabrics originating in China and Egypt.

The products under investigation are knitted plush fabrics made of synthetic textile fibers (100% polyester) with a width exceeding 150 cm, dyed or printed, with pile on both sides or one side, used for manufacturing blankets. The dumping investigation period for this case is from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025, and the injury investigation period is from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2025. Enterprises intending to respond must apply to become interested parties before 15:00 Morocco time (GMT+1) on June 29, 2026. The notice took effect on May 22, 2026.

United States launches safeguard review investigation on fine denier polyester staple fiber

On May 29, 2026, the WTO Committee on Safeguards published a safeguard notification submitted by the U.S. delegation. On May 22, 2026, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) initiated a safeguard review investigation on Fine Denier Polyester Staple Fiber. This case primarily involves products under U.S. Harmonized Tariff 5503.20.0025. Interested parties are required to register for appearance before the U.S. International Trade Commission by June 18, 2026. A hearing is scheduled for October 1, 2026, and applications to appear at the hearing must be submitted in writing by September 25, 2026.

Outlook:

In June, China's PFY exports saw a slight month-on-month recovery, driven by concentrated restocking in the South Asian market. However, compared with the same period last year, the decline remained significant. Overall market divergence has intensified. The Red Sea shipping route risks and geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East have driven up maritime freight costs and suppressed local textile processing operations in North Africa and the Middle East, with many importers becoming more cautious and adopting a wait-and-see approach.

Against the backdrop of ongoing volatility in the Middle East situation, and as the overseas