China Sep Cotton Imports Down 6.9% Vs Aug

SINGAPORE (Dow Jones)--China imported 102,200 metric tons of cotton in September, down 6.9% from the previous month, as high global prices curbed local demand for imports, the China Cotton Association said Thursday.

September imports were down 21% from a year earlier, and January-September imports fell 39% from the same period last year to 1.08 million tons, data provided by the General Administration of Customs showed.

"Textile firms were not importing actively, and state reserves were the major supplier on the market (last month)," the association said.

U.S. cotton accounted for 45% of September imports, while India provided 19%, the customs data showed.

China is the world's largest cotton producer, consumer and importer.