The global production of natural fibres is evaluated at the level 35-40 million tons/year. It is expected that the global megatrends in population growth, prosperity growth, climate change and limited cotton supply, increase in fiber consumption will lead to a demand overhang for other cellulosic fibers, including new lately discovered natural fibres. There is fierce competition between natural and man-made fibres and also both types co-exist on markets mainly in terms of quality, sustainability and physiological influence in human body. The paper focuses on the novel trends in natural fibres processing and utilization, recently explored natural fibres and their potential.