China's polyester staple fibre exports rebound in August, but year-to-date volumes stay flat

China exported 139.3 thousand tonnes of polyester staple fibre (PSF) in August 2026, up 25.4% from July but down 12.2% from August 2025, according to Chinese customs data reported by trade publication Textiles Resources on 8 October.

Exports for January to August totalled about 1.098 million tonnes, almost unchanged from the same period of 2025 with a rise of 0.12%, the report said. The average export price was about $1,050 per tonne.

Citing market analysts at CCF, the report said shares of China's top ten export destinations changed only marginally, by about one percentage point or less, during the period. Despite the August rebound, the full-year outlook for Chinese PSF exports remains weak, the publication said.

China is the world's largest producer and exporter of polyester fibre, and its export volumes and prices are closely watched by spinners that blend polyester with cotton or viscose.

What it means for Egyptian exporters

Egyptian spinners and fabric makers that rely on imported polyester for blended yarns, sportswear and home textiles benefit from stable, relatively low-priced Chinese fibre supply, which keeps input costs in check. At the same time, local recycled-polyester projects in Egypt will need to compete with Chinese export prices around $1,050 per tonne. Mills should watch whether the August rebound continues, as a renewed push by Chinese producers into export markets would add price pressure on regional fibre suppliers.