JCFA estimated the 2005 world fiber production.

It stated that the world fiber production in 2005 decreased by 1.1 percent to 60.8 million tons against the 2004 figure, and it showed the first year-on-year decline in the past 3 years since 2002.

By fiber, chemical fiber production was slightly up by 1.5 percent, however, production of cotton was down by 4.5 percent, and on the whole, world fiber production decreased.

Chemical fiber production increased by 1.5 percent to 34.4 million tons.

Production of acrylic staple decreased by 5.8 percent to 2.7 million tons.

Production of cellulosic fibers total increased by 5.3 percent to 2.6 million tons reflecting increment both in its filament and staple.

Polyester Filament: Its world production rose by 3.2 percent to 14.4 million tons compared with the 2004 figure.

Polyester Staple: Its production went up by 2.5 percent to 10.3 million tons against 2004.

Nylon: Its production (filament + staple) declined by 3.2 percent to 3.9 million tons compared with the 2004 figure.

Acrylic Staple: Its production fell down by 5.8 percent to 2.7 million tons against 2004.

Production of synthetic fibers fell down by 2.4 percent to 1.09 million tons.

Production of polyester filament decreased by 5.4 percent to 282 thousand tons.

Production of polyester staple declined by 3.4 percent to 214 thousand tons.

Production of nylon filament fell down by 2.3 percent to 118 thousand tons.

Production of polypropylene is the sole material in major synthetic fiber products that gained by 4.9 percent to 126 thousand tons. The filament rose by 3 percent and staple also went up by 7 percent because shipment for nonwoven fabrics is in good situation.

Production of rayon staple declined by 5.7 percent to 36 thousand tons mainly due to a slump in shipment for nonwoven fabrics.

Production of acetate filament increased by 1.4 percent to 15 thousand tons because shipment for mixed fabrics was in good shape. Production of the staple (tow for tobacco filters) declined by 1.9 percent to 92 thousand tons due to slump of export.