China imported 81,900 tonnes of cotton in October, down 42 per cent on the same month last year – the lowest level since January 2009, data showed. It was the first time monthly imports of the fibre dropped below 100,000 tonnes since October 2010.
October imports fell after harvests in key exporting nations India and the United States were delayed. Importers also had fewer quotas this year to bring in cotton at a lower tariff, said a trade source.