In August 2025, Polyester Filament Yarn (PFY) prices in the U.S. and China followed similar trends—initially strong on seasonal demand and firm supply, then soften due to weaker cost support and cautiously buying.
In August 2025, prices of PFY in China and the United States moved in synchronized trajectory, reflecting similar market fundamentals. Both markets began the month on a positive note with strong procurement and upbeat export streams, but mid-month activities dampened pressure to close out the month in a more price range-bound atmosphere. Regardless of local differences in trade flows and production plans, the overall pricing trend of PFY remained synchronized, created by steady supply and moderate demand at textile and apparel markets.
Chinese PFY prices started August on a minor hike due to steady overseas demand and firmer raw material prices. Low PTA levels that limited cost-push support were countered by firm MEG prices to maintain production economics intact. Exports to the U.S., Germany, and India absorbed surplus availability, counterbalancing local softness in demand. Operating levels of production in the moderate-to-high range satisfied steady export orders. No material disruption was visible, and export markets priced competitively thwarted oversupply from cutting prices.
Towards the end of the month, however, declining PTA values and subdued apparel and home-textile offtake exerted downward pressure. With near-92% utilized spinning lines and hand-to-mouth buying at fabric mills, PFY prices softened before levelling off during the final week with unchanging operating rates and normalized purchasing.
In the US market, PFY prices followed China’s trend and rose in early August as tighter import availability was compounded by higher downstream buying. Import offers were raised by Asian vendors, and storm-related bottlenecks at Shanghai and Ningbo drove transit times out, increasing landed costs. Despite a small drop in freight levels, delivery frictions and cautious inventory management allowed sellers to resist deep cuts in prices.
Demand for PFY picked up for back-to-school and early fall programs, with apparel and home-furnishing categories maintaining steady penetration. A 1.75% sequential increase in apparel and accessories sales bolstered replenishment activity. Speculative buying remained in check, though buyers tolerated modest price increases in order to receive on-time delivery. Toward month-end, PFY prices stabilized, reflecting balanced procurement and normalized supply flows.
In the near future, PFY prices in China and the U.S. are expected to remain range-bound, with stability depending on the recovery in seasonal demand and volatility in feedstock prices. In China, preparations for autumn textile season may give mild support, while sustained weakness in local consumption and deteriorating PTA values may limit advances.
On the American side, import-side tightness is expected to ease with alleviating weather disruptions, but sustained demand from apparel and home-furnishing pipelines will underpin current levels of PFY price. Market participants will be closely observing feedstock cues and export dynamics, both sides navigating cautiously optimistic but supply-sensitive ground.
