Interfiber Competition in the United States: An Analysis

The main purpose of this study was to examine variables influencing changes in the market shares of textile fibers in the United States. Three major fibers (cotton, wool, and man-made) and three end-use markets (apparel, home furnishings, and industrial) were identified for the study. The market shares of the major fibers were based on domestic consumption in each end-use market using annual data from 1960 to 1983. The generalized choice model used in this study consisted of two parts. The first part was concerned with total fiber demand in each end-use market and variables influencing total demand. The second part focused on interfiber competition. The results of the study suggested that (a) demand for man-made fibers was inelastic with respect to fiber price, (b) man-made fibers were substitutes for cotton and wool, and (c) non-price factors such as quality were important in interfiber competition, particularly in home furnishings and industrial uses. The importance of general economic conditions to fiber demand was also reported.