Global Mill Use to Continue Increase in 2010/11 World cotton consumption in 2010/11 is forecast to rise about 2.5 percent from a year ago to 119.5 million bales, as the global economic situation improves. China, the world's leading cotton mill user, is forecast to consume 49.0 million bales, up 3 percent from a year ago (fig. 3). Mill use in India and Pakistan is forecast to increase 5 percent and 2 percent to 20.4 million bales and 11.7 million bales, respectively. Cotton consumption is expected to continue declining in the United States with 2010/11 mill use forecast at 3.3 million bales.