Egyptian cotton, that is known for its extra-long fibers and smooth yarn attracted Chinese buyers in 2022 to replace India as the top buyer of Egyptian cotton.
There was a sharp decrease in Egyptian cotton exports to India while exports to China increased substantially. Egyptian cotton is smaller in diameter than typical cotton but is characterized by its extra-long fibers. These finer, longer fibers when combed and spun, produce smooth yarn, which is used to weave, soft cloth.
In 2022 the cotton exports from Egypt to China amounted to $116.93 million compared with $75.15 million in cotton exported to India. Both countries account for 70.78 percent of the total exports of Egyptian cotton, of which China’s share was 43.09 percent and that of India was 27.69 percent. Other top five buyers included Pakistan commanding a share of 14.17 percent, Vietnam 5.37 percent, and Bangladesh 3.77 percent.
In 2021 China’s share in Egyptian cotton export was only 2.34 percent while India with imports of $143.98 million commanded 68.68 percent of the Egyptian cotton exports. Pakistan’s share of 15.32 in 2021 was slightly higher than its share in 2022. Bangladesh’s share dropped sharply in 2022 from 10.17 percent in 2021.
Indians attribute the decline in the import of Egyptian cotton to erratic shipping operations. Chinese on the other hand were forced to buy more from Egypt as its garment exports to the US were under scrutiny if produced from cotton produced in China’s Xinjiang region.
