SunSirs: The Viscose Staple Fiber Market Saw a Slight Price Increase in February 2026

Price trend

In February 2026, viscose staple fiber prices remained stable within a range, with a slight upward trend in the latter part of the month. Affected by the Spring Festival holiday and the pace of resumption of work, prices remained stable and inventory was reduced, costs remained stable, and demand gradually recovered. At the end of the month, manufacturers tentatively raised prices, and market sentiment was weak.

According to the commodity market analysis system of SunSirs, in February 2026, the price trend of viscose staple fiber was: stable with a slight increase, and manufacturers raised prices in the latter half of the month. At the beginning of the month: the mainstream transaction price of 1.2D was 12,800 RMB/ton. During the month: the first ten days were quiet due to the holiday, the middle ten days saw stable prices and order volume, and the mainstream manufacturers raised their quotations by 100-300 RMB/ton in the latter ten days. At the end of the month: the market average price was 12,840 RMB/ton. As of February 28, 2026, the average market price of viscose staple fiber was 12,840 RMB/ton, an increase of 40 RMB/ton compared to the previous month, with a monthly increase of 0.31%. The overall market transaction pace was slow.

Market Analysis

Upstream costs: Stable operation, providing moderate support

In February 2026, the market price of dissolving pulp, the main raw material for viscose staple fiber, fluctuated little, remaining weak and stagnant overall, offering limited support for viscose staple fiber. The mainstream price of dissolving pulp in East China was 6200 RMB/ton, remaining stable throughout the month with limited fluctuations. Caustic soda (32% ion-exchange membrane): 720 RMB/ton in Jiangsu, stable to slightly weak. With no significant cost pressure, manufacturers' profits were average, and their willingness to maintain prices was strong.

On the cost side, the market price of dissolving pulp, the main raw material for viscose staple fiber, did not fluctuate much in January 2026, remaining weak and stagnant overall, with limited support for viscose staple fiber. Specifically, the price of domestic dissolving pulp remained at around 6,700 RMB/ton, while the price of imported hardwood pulp was about 800 USD/ton, and the price of softwood pulp was around 870 USD/ton. In the auxiliary materials market, the prices of liquid caustic soda and sulfuric acid remained largely stable with minor fluctuations, failing to provide effective cost support, resulting in a flat overall cost performance.

Downstream demand remained weak

The downstream rayon yarn market remained weak, becoming a key factor restricting the demand for viscose staple fiber. Early in the month: Due to the Spring Festival holiday, yarn mills and weaving plants operated at low capacity, resulting in sluggish transactions. Mid-to-late month: Rayon yarn and ring spinning/vortex spinning gradually resumed operations, with restocking driven by immediate needs and concentrated small orders. Characteristics: Regular yarn sales were primarily driven by volume, while differentiated orders such as compact spun yarn performed well; the recovery of end-use fabrics was slow, with procurement based on immediate needs. Demand summary: Recovery lagged behind raw material price increases, with immediate needs providing the main support, and significant price increases lacking corresponding volume support.

Market outlook

Supply: Industry inventory was low, and manufacturers were mainly maintaining prices; Cost: Dissolving pulp remained stable, providing moderate support; Demand: The traditional peak season had begun, operating rates were increasing, and orders are expected to gradually increase. SunSirs analysis predicts a stable to slightly stronger trend in the short term, with an estimated price range of 12,900-13,200 RMB/ton.

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