Demand for cotton is on track to outpace supply for the 2018-19 season. The 2017-18 season was the third consecutive for growth in world cotton demand, with production at an estimated 26.6 tons and world mill use projected at 25.5 million tons.

For the current season, decreasing stocks in China are being offset elsewhere. China’s cotton stocks are projected down to nine million tons, while cotton production outside of China is projected up to 10.3 million tons – marking the fourth consecutive season-to-season increase.

World cotton consumption is projected to increase to 26.7 million tons in 2018-19, while world cotton production is estimated at 25.7 million tons. Production in China is projected to decrease to 5.6 million tons in 2018-19 based on reduced planting area, while consumption is forecast to increase to 8.4 million tons.

Reduced yields in 2017-18 in India are contributing to lowered planted area for 2018-19, with exports projected at 8,40,000 tons, representing a 24 per cent decrease from the previous season. Production in Brazil for the 2017-18 season is estimated to be 1.9 million tons, a 26 per cent increase from 2016-17.

Production for the West Africa region in 2017-18 is projected at 1.2 million tons, representing a 13 per cent growth from the previous season.