During the traditional off season of May, textile foreign demand was sluggish, and its export for textile and apparel increase rate slowed down clearly over the month. Reserve cotton included much import cotton and 2012/13 new arrivals, providing plenty resource to the market, which also squeezed some space for import cotton, although the average price of which increased slightly. Sliding duty import accounted nearly 60%, and full duty import declined to less than 10%; general trade was more than half and processing with imported materials increased distinctively; among import origin counties, US remained the biggest, India had larger decline; Qingdao, Nanjing and Shanghai were the main destination port, and Beijing, Jiangsu and Shandong were the largest buyers.

As Customs statistics showed, in May, 2013, China imported cotton of 345,800 ton, 85,100 ton less over the month, 19.8% down over the month, and 31.1% less Y/Y; the average import price was 2,038 USD/ton, 96 USD up over April, 14.4% less Y/Y. The cumulative import volume of the first nine months of 2012/13 season was 3,513,000 ton, 17.4% less Y/Y; the first five months import of 2013 calendar year was 2,141,000 ton, 17% less Y/Y.

In aspect of import trade means in May, import for processing trade increase, while all the others declined, among which general trade still took more than half share, processing with imported materials took 19.4%, goods under Custom special supervision was 15.7%, goods in bonded areas was 11.1%.

Among major import sources, only Australia increased in volume, US declined slightly, while India and Brazil decreased further. US cotton took about half share, India was less than 10%, retreating to the forth import origins.

The average price for different trading means all increased in May, the general trade increased by 2.58%, processing by accepting customers materials, logistic good under special custom supervision and goods in bonded areas increased by 2.04%, 7.78% and 8.34% separately.

Among five main sources, average import price of Brazil decreased by 10.65%, Australia was down by 0.77%, US, India and Uzbekistan increased 2.52%, 3.78% and 3.54% separately.

The port destinations mainly are Qingdao, Nanjing and Shanghai, together accounting for more than 70%.

Most buyers are from Beijing, Jiangsu and Shandong, accounting for nearby 80%.