In April 2016, spun yarn exports jumped 12 per cent in volume terms and were up 1.7 per cent in value terms. Spun yarn (all kinds) shipments were at 112.2 million kg worth $299 million or Rs 1,971 crores, implying per unit realisation of $2.66 per kg.

From India, 82 countries imported spun yarn in April 2016, with China accounting for 27.5 per cent of the total value with imports declining 7.1 per cent in terms of volume YoY and plunging 17 per cent in value YoY. Bangladesh, the second largest importer of spun yarns, accounted for around 19.2 per cent of all spun yarn exported from India. Export to Bangladesh rose 49.5 per cent in volumes and 33.2 per cent higher in value. Egypt was the third largest importer of spun yarns, which saw volume rising 10.7 per cent while value declined 4.6 per cent. These three top importers together accounted for around 52 per cent of all spun yarns exported from India in April.

Meanwhile, India's share in China’s yarn market has dropped from 32.6 per cent to 22.9 per cent whereas Pakistan's share plunged from 27.3 per cent to 19.6 per cent. This structural shift means that Indian and Pakistani spinners cannot rely any more on the Chinese yarn market, although they could keep a large share for specific products.