China, India Consume More Than Half of the World’s Cotton

World cotton production for 2007/08 is estimated at 119.7 million bales, up 0.2 % from the previous month’s estimate. This increase comes mainly from higher estimated production in India and the US. However, when compared with 2006/07, world cotton production is down 2.4 million bales, a 1.9 % decline. In 2007/08, India’s production is estimated at 25 million bales, an increase of 3.2 million bales (15 %) from the 2006/07 crop. Increasing acreage & use of genetically modified (GM) cottonseed appear to be driving production gains in India. Consumption in 2007/08 is expected to rise 1.4 % from the previous year’s estimate to an all time high of about 125 million bales. Cotton mill use has risen sharply over the years in China, India, Pakistan, and Turkey, the world’s leading cotton users.

China & India alone will account for about 57 % (71 million bales) of world cotton consumption in 2007/08. World cotton supply is expected to remain fairly stable in 2007/08 increasing only 481,000 bales (0.3 %) from the 219.5 million bales in the preceding year.

Source: US Department of Agriculture