Global cotton output to rise 2017/18

Following two years of declining planted area, global cotton area for 2017/18 is projected to increase by 11 per cent to 32.5 million hectares. Planted area in India is estimated at 11.55 million hectares for 2017/18, with production projected to grow by 8.7 per cent to 6.2 million tons. In 2017/18, planted area in the USA continues to grow for the second season by an estimated 20 per cent to 4.6 million hectares.

Pakistan plantings for 2017/18 are expected to increase by 24 per cent to 3.1 million hectares after several years of declining area with an anticipated 24 per cent growth in production to 2.06 million tons. Production is projected to increase in all other major producing countries during 2017/18, including China, Brazil, Francophone Africa and Turkey. Global production in 2016/17 rose by 7 per cent and is forecast to grow by 12 per cent during 2017/18.

Global cotton mill use is expected to grow in 2017/18 by 3 per cent to 25.2 million tons. The gap between cotton prices and polyester prices has continued to narrow since mid-2017 despite a recent upturn in cotton prices that may push cotton consumption higher.

While mill use is rising, stocks will continue to grow as production outpaces consumption. Imports by China are expected to remain steady as the stock to use ratio decreases. Mill use in China is expected to grow at 1 per cent to 8.12 million tons. Cotton mill use is also projected to grow moderately in India, Pakistan, Turkey, Bangladesh, Vietnam and Brazil.