The area under cotton globally is likely to expand by five per cent in the 2017-18 season.

In India, cotton area is forecast to increase by seven per cent as farmers are encouraged by better returns due to high cotton prices and improved yields in 2016-17. Production could increase by three per cent.

In China, cotton area may expand by three per cent due to the stable cotton policy and high cotton prices. Production in China is expected to rise by one per cent, the first increase in five seasons.

Similarly, harvested cotton area in the United States is forecast to expand by 12 per cent and production could grow by eight per cent.

Unlike the other top cotton producers, area in Uzbekistan is expected to contract by four per cent in accordance with government plans to reduce areas where yields are low, and use them for other agricultural products. However plentiful soil moisture may improve the average yield by one per cent. Uzbekistan’s cotton production is projected to decline by two per cent.

World cotton mill use is expected to surpass world production for the third consecutive season. World consumption is projected to increase by two per cent.