Global cotton mill use to rise in 2017-18: USDA

With 2014-15 as the base year, 2017-18 world cotton consumption is projected 5 per cent higher. While China’s mill use is expected nearly 12 per cent above 2014-15, cotton mill use in India and Pakistan remains relatively flat. In contrast, cotton mill use continues to rise in Bangladesh, and 2017-18 use is projected to be 19 per cent above 2014-15. Even more remarkable has been the growth in Vietnam, where 2017-18 mill use is expected to be 44 per cent above 2014-15, the Economic Research Service of the USDA said in its July report on ‘Cotton and Wool Outlook’.

China—the leading spinner of raw cotton—has expanded its mill use since 2014-15, and is forecast to account for nearly one-third of the 2017-18 global total.

For 2017-18, mill use in China is projected at 38.0 million bales, 500,000 bales above 2016-17 and the highest since a similar amount was recorded for 2011-12. Access to domestic reserve supplies are expected to limit yarn imports and push cotton mill use higher in China for the third consecutive season.

India’s consumption is forecast at nearly 24.8 million bales in 2017-18, 3 per cent above 2016-17’s estimate, while mill use in Pakistan is projected at 10.6 million bales, also 3 per cent higher. In addition, 2017-18 cotton mill use is expected to rise in Bangladesh (+6 per cent), Turkey (+6 per cent), and Vietnam (+9 per cent).

For 2016-17, world cotton mill use is estimated at 113.8 million bales, 200,000 bales above the June estimate and more than 2 per cent higher than 2015-16. The July gain was largely attributable to the higher consumption estimate for India. (RKS)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India