For the Quarter Ending September 2025
North America
• In the USA, the Polyester Filament Yarn Price Index rose by 5.9% quarter-over-quarter, driven by restocking.
• The average Polyester Filament Yarn price for the quarter was approximately USD 1187.00/MT, CFR Texas reported.
• Polyester Filament Yarn Spot Price eased as lower Asian offers and reduced freight pressured landed values.
• Polyester Filament Yarn Price Forecast indicates modest near-term volatility from seasonal restocking and freight-rate fluctuations ahead.
• Polyester Filament Yarn Production Cost Trend remained subdued as PTA and MEG softened, reducing cost-side support.
• Polyester Filament Yarn Demand Outlook remains muted, with converters favouring need-based purchases over inventory accumulation short-term.
• The Polyester Filament Yarn Price Index reflected mid-quarter strength from precautionary buying and temporary inventory drawdowns.
• Asian operations stayed stable, while export offers pressured US spot markets, weighing on domestic prices.
Why did the price of Polyester Filament Yarn change in September 2025 in North America?
• Softer Asian offers and lower PTA/MEG reduced landed costs, enabling cheaper imports and pressuring US price levels.
• Drewry container-index declines lowered freight, improving landed economics and making lower-priced Asian cargoes more competitive.
• Cautious domestic buying and subdued downstream demand limited offtake, prompting sellers to cut offers to stimulate purchases.
APAC
• In China, the Polyester Filament Yarn Price Index rose by 3.08% quarter-over-quarter, driven by cost pass-through.
• The average Polyester Filament Yarn price for the quarter was approximately USD 915.33/MT, indicating stability overall.
• Polyester Filament Yarn Spot Price fluctuated as export demand recovered, tightening spot availability across ports.
• Polyester Filament Yarn Price Forecast shows recovery into autumn as seasonal restocking supports upward pressure.
• Polyester Filament Yarn Production Cost Trend eased as PTA declined, MEG stayed stable, narrowing margins.
• Polyester Filament Yarn Demand Outlook is cautious; textile restocking remains muted amid weak export orders.
• Polyester Filament Yarn Price Index shows rebounds driven by export dispatches, offsetting domestic offtake weakness.
• Inventory accumulation pressured offers earlier, while recent export demand tightened availability and supported seller confidence.
• Manufacturing utilisation remained recently high with no major outages, keeping supply ample despite seasonal demand fluctuations.
Why did the price of Polyester Filament Yarn change in September 2025 in APAC?
• Sustained exports diverted spot cargoes, tightening local availability and prompting FOB and spot price gains.
• PTA declines reduced cost support, allowing mills to lower offers amid ample operating rates inventories.
• Logistics steady but weak downstream buying constrained restocking, sustaining balanced-to-bearish market sentiment in September temporarily.
Europe
• In Germany, the Polyester Filament Yarn Price Index fell by 2.5% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting subdued demand.
• The average Polyester Filament Yarn price for the quarter was approximately USD 1063.33/MT, reported widely.
• Polyester Filament Yarn Spot Price remained pressured by abundant Asian supply and easing freight dynamics.
• Polyester Filament Yarn Price Index reflected downward pressure amid weak downstream textile and apparel orders.
• Polyester Filament Yarn Production Cost Trend showed limited upward pressure as PTA and MEG softened.
• Polyester Filament Yarn Demand Outlook remains muted with holiday slowdowns and converters prioritising lean inventories.
• Polyester Filament Yarn Price Forecast indicates short term range bound movement pending restocking signals soon.
• Inventory accumulation and steady export flows kept seller’s defensive, limiting upside in domestic Price Index.
Why did the price of Polyester Filament Yarn change in September 2025 in Europe?
• Lower freight rates and Chinese export offers reduced costs, pressuring Polyester Filament Yarn Price Index.
• Subdued downstream demand, converter conservatism limited buying activity, further weakening Polyester Filament Yarn Spot Price.
• Feedstock softness and ample import availability removed cost support, amplifying bearish momentum in Price Index.
For the Quarter Ending June 2025
North America
• Polyester Filament Yarn (PFY) prices in North America declined by 10.9% quarter-over-quarter in Q2 2025, as sluggish downstream demand intersected with sufficient supply availability, reinforcing a soft market environment.
• Supply-side dynamics remained steady throughout the quarter, with consistent import flows from Asia ensuring adequate inventory levels despite upstream feedstock disruptions and logistical frictions like port congestion and customs delays.
• Logistics bottlenecks, including extended lead times and inland transportation inefficiencies, were prevalent but did not translate into material shortages, as prior stockpiling and adaptive procurement strategies helped balance supply chains.
• Downstream demand fundamentals stayed muted, with key segments such as textiles, apparel, and home furnishings exercising purchasing restraint amid economic uncertainty and cautious consumer spending patterns.
• Overall, the North American PFY market navigated Q2 in a structurally balanced yet demand-constrained environment, where aggressive competition from Asian exporters and tepid domestic consumption maintained persistent downward pressure on prices.
Why did the PFY Price Index change in July 2025 in North America?
• PFY prices in North America exhibited a mild upward bias in July, supported by precautionary restocking as buyers moved to hedge against potential tariff hikes on imports from BRICS countries, including China and India.
• Despite ongoing port congestion and upstream supply disruptions in Asian exporting markets, import flows into the U.S. remained stable, preventing any severe supply-side tightness.
• Downstream demand showed modest improvement, particularly in the textile sector, where retailers increased procurement in anticipation of back-to-school and early fall-season inventory needs, though the overall market remained cautious.
• While the tariff-driven urgency led to firmer pricing during early July, the broader market sentiment stayed conservative, with buyers limiting purchases to essential requirements, preventing any sharp price escalation, and keeping the market in a cautiously firm but fragile equilibrium.
Europe
• PFY prices in Germany declined by 8.6% QoQ in Q2 2025, pressured by sustained oversupply from Asian imports and subdued downstream demand from the textile sector, despite intermittent supply chain disruptions.
• The supply side remained well-supported by continuous low-cost PFY inflows from China and India, while domestic producers maintained steady operations amidst rising inventory levels and aggressive competition.
• Logistics bottlenecks, such as port congestion at Hamburg and Bremerhaven, provided temporary support to prices in May, but improved handling efficiencies by June neutralized supply-side disruptions.
• Demand from key end-use sectors, particularly apparel and home textiles, remained weak as retail sales stagnated, and converters focused on inventory liquidation rather than fresh restocking.
• Overall, PFY prices in Germany faced persistent bearish pressure throughout Q2, as abundant supply and cautious downstream procurement dynamics outweighed sporadic cost-push and logistical challenges.
Why did the PFY Price Index change in July 2025 in Europe?
• PFY prices in Germany declined in July 2025 as importers benefited from lower offers extended by Asian suppliers attempting to ease domestic oversupply, which translated into softer landed costs for German buyers.
• The seasonal summer slowdown significantly curtailed textile sector activity, with converters reducing production schedules and adopting defensive procurement strategies to avoid inventory build-up.
• Despite lingering port congestion in parts of Northern Europe, proactive inventory management and alternative routing strategies ensured stable supply availability, negating any upward pressure on prices.
• Weak retail demand and persistent consumer spending restraint further dampened buying interest across the textile value chain, forcing suppliers to offer discounts and adjust prices downward to maintain market liquidity.
APAC
• PFY prices in China declined by 5.1% QoQ in Q2 2025, driven by prolonged oversupply conditions and subdued demand across domestic and export markets, despite intermittent cost-push support from upstream PTA volatility.
• Supply-side dynamics remained loose, with Chinese manufacturers operating at reduced rates to curb inventory build-up, though consistent feedstock availability and stable production costs prevented any material supply disruptions.
• Logistics ran smoothly with no significant port congestions or distribution hurdles, while competitive pressures from aggressive supplier discounts intensified price erosion, particularly in April.
• Downstream demand from textile sectors remained weak, with U.S. tariffs suppressing export orders and domestic buyers maintaining cautious procurement strategies, focusing on minimal stock levels amid trade uncertainty.
• Overall, Q2 saw persistent bearish sentiment in the PFY market, with price recoveries in May quickly offset by lacklustre demand fundamentals, leading to an overall quarterly decline despite temporary supply constraints.
Why did the PFY Price Index change in July 2025 in APAC?
• PFY prices in APAC remained largely stable in July 2025, as supply flows from major producers continued uninterrupted, ensuring sufficient availability despite residual logistical constraints from earlier months.
• While upstream feedstock costs exhibited minor fluctuations, producers refrained from significant price revisions, opting to maintain stable offers amid cautious demand sentiment and elevated downstream inventories.
• Downstream sectors, particularly textile converters and fabric mills, avoided bulk procurement, adopting a hand-to-mouth purchasing strategy as end-user demand remained tepid, limiting any substantial uplift in PFY consumption.
• With no pronounced cost-driven pressures and downstream buyers exercising purchasing restraint, the APAC PFY market hovered within a narrow price band, where stability reflected a cautious equilibrium between ample supply and lacklustre demand rather than any structural shift in market fundamentals.
For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
The North American Polyester Filament Yarn (PFY) market recorded a marginal 1.0% decline in Q1 2025 compared to the previous quarter, amid ongoing global uncertainties and regional supply chain disruptions. Early in the quarter, prices rose as buyers accelerated purchases in anticipation of proposed 10% tariffs on Chinese imports. Reduced production ahead of the Chinese Lunar New Year also spurred stockpiling amid concerns of potential supply shortages. Severe winter weather disrupted logistics along the East and Gulf Coasts, contributing to short-term supply tightness.
As the quarter progressed, PFY prices remained firm, supported by higher import costs, and resumed Chinese shipments post-holiday. While ocean freight rates declined, elevated tariffs kept landed costs high. Some domestic supply disruptions—stemming from staff shortages, wildfires in California, and extreme weather—also supported price increases. Demand from the textile sector remained moderate, largely focused on replenishing inventories.
However, the quarter ended with renewed price pressure as uncertainty around proposed U.S. port fees on Chinese vessels dampened buying interest. PFY CFR Texas closed at USD 1150 /MT, reflecting cautious sentiment and logistical concerns.
APAC
The Asia-Pacific Polyester Filament Yarn (PFY) market recorded a modest 0.5% quarter-on-quarter price increase in Q1 2025. At the start of the quarter, prices climbed due to reduced production and ongoing maintenance at several plants, which tightened supply. Higher feedstock PTA costs and active pre-Spring Festival procurement by downstream industries further supported the upward momentum. However, as the quarter progressed, sentiment weakened. A 10% tariff imposed by the U.S. on Chinese textile exports led to trade order cancellations, particularly in mid-to-lower-end segments. Seasonal softness in the weaving industry and rising inventories also limited PFY uptake. By quarter-end, downstream demand remained muted despite efforts by manufacturers to stabilize prices through coordinated production cuts. Most buyers had already completed restocking earlier in the quarter, prompting limited purchasing activity. Cautious sentiment among textile processors and subdued export demand added to the slowdown in transactions. Nevertheless, PFY FOB Shanghai prices closed at USD 920/MT, reflecting a net quarterly gain driven by strong early-quarter fundamentals.
Europe
The European Polyester Filament Yarn (PFY) market declined by 1.89% in Q1 2025 compared to Q4 2024, primarily due to weakened demand and rising competitive pressure from imports. At the beginning of the quarter, prices rose slightly as European buyers, particularly in Germany, increased purchases to secure material ahead of the Chinese Lunar New Year. This early stockpiling was driven by reduced production in Asia and expectations of delayed shipments. Mid-quarter, the European PFY market saw cost support from rising feedstock and energy prices. Despite this, supply remained ample as Chinese suppliers resumed post-holiday exports, sending steady volumes to Europe. However, demand from the textile sector stayed moderate, largely driven by cautious inventory restocking rather than new order growth. The quarter closed at USD 1110/MT CFR Hamburg as competitive Asian imports flooded the market amid U.S. trade policy uncertainties. With German manufacturers well-stocked and high interest rates dampening textile demand, procurement limited to immediate needs drove the quarterly decline despite earlier cost pressures.
For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
The North American Polyester Filament Yarn (PFY) market faced an 11% decline in Q4 2024 compared to Q3, driven by a combination of weak global market conditions and regional logistical challenges. At the start of the quarter, PFY prices in the U.S. declined, reflecting the bearish trend in China, the region's primary supplier. Falling Purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA) prices, rising inventories, and lacklustre demand in China directly influenced U.S. pricing. Additionally, reduced freight costs from North China to the U.S. East Coast added downward pressure.
However, as the quarter progressed, demand from the downstream textile sector showed some positivity due to improved consumer confidence following Federal Reserve interest rate cuts, logistical disruptions caused by Longshoreman strikes and hurricane-related port bottlenecks hindered smooth product circulation.
By December, PFY supplies in North America remained adequate despite persistent challenges, including high transpacific freight rates and equipment shortages at West Coast ports. The quarter-end price for PFY CFR Texas was reported at USD 1,220/MT, reflecting subdued demand, seasonal year-end destocking, and cautious procurement trends. Market participants remain wary of potential cost escalations in 2025, driven by elevated shipping rates and tariff adjustments.
APAC
The Polyester Filament Yarn (PFY) market in the APAC region saw a 4% decline in Q4 2024 compared to Q3, driven by weak demand, rising inventories, and unfavourable export conditions. Early in the quarter, PFY prices dropped because of declining feedstock Purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA) prices and increased operational rates at polyester plants, leading to supply surpluses. Additionally, adverse weather conditions, including Typhoon Yagi and Typhoon Bebinca, disrupted logistics, further compounding market challenges. Mid-quarter, however, a slight uptick was observed. Falling temperatures boosted domestic consumption, particularly for thermal fabrics, while resilient U.S. demand and an improved inventory cycle fuelled export demand. This temporary rebound did little to offset the broader trend of weak market conditions, as seasonal factors failed to trigger the recovery seen in the same period last year. By the end of Q4, PFY demand remained sluggish, with downstream textile plants focusing on existing inventory and reducing raw material procurement. The quarter-ending price for PFY FOB Shanghai stood at USD 908/MT, reflecting steady price declines throughout the quarter, driven by destocking and stagnant downstream activity.
Europe
The European Polyester Filament Yarn (PFY) market recorded a 12% decline in Q4 2024 compared to Q3, as demand remained subdued amidst challenging economic conditions and seasonal headwinds. Early in the quarter, PFY prices in faced downward pressure due to declining feedstock Purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA) prices in China, the region's primary export supplier. Rising inventory levels in China, coupled with lower-than-expected global demand, amplified the bearish trend in European markets. Midway through the quarter, stable PFY supplies contrasted with muted textile demand. Downstream buyers limited purchases to immediate needs, leveraging discounted prices to prepare for January demand. Despite this, market sentiment remained cautious, dampened by ongoing port congestion in Hamburg due to terminal upgrades, and looming cost pressures from the EU's upcoming expansion of the Emissions Trading System (ETS) in 2025. By quarter-end, PFY demand declined further due to year-end destocking and seasonal procurement slowdowns. The quarter-ending price for PFY CFR Hamburg stood at USD 1,150/MT, reflecting steady price declines throughout Q4, driven by cautious market activity, weak demand, and rising cost concerns for 2025.
