Cotton is produced in over 50 countriesworldwide, averaging 20 - 24 million metric tons per year. China, the United States, India and Pakistan are the largest cotton producers, accounting forapproximately 65 percent of the world cotton production alone. Brazil, Uzbekistan and other countries with smaller annual cotton crops cover the remaining 35percent. China, India and Pakistan are also the largest consumers ofcotton, accounting for app. 60percent of the worldwide cotton consumption.

Thus, most of the cotton produced is beingtraded and exported as a commodity in an international market. The quality ofcotton, however, is highly variable making it difficult to determine itscommercial value or price.

Cotton quality is a function of its variety,growing conditions, harvesting and ginning. Growth conditions change every yeardepending on the environment (weather and soil). In addition, agricultural,harvesting and ginning methods used for cotton production vary widely indifferent countries around the world. All these factors attribute to a widerange of cotton qualities available in the international cotton market.

In cotton spinning, raw material costs make up50-70% of the overall yarn manufacturing costs. Cotton purchasing is thehighest risk for a spinner, and it is often based on trust gained overgenerations between cotton buyer (mill owner) and seller (merchant). Otherstakeholders in the cotton supply chain are cotton seed breeders, producers,and ginners. All have a high interest in an objective method of assessing thequality of cotton.

Cotton classification provides this objectiveassessment of cotton quality, and it is the basis for determining the cottonprice. It is an integral part of the cotton supply chain, and has its roots inthe historic development of cotton standards.

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Author is a student of L. D. College Of Engineering, B.E. VI Semester, TextileTechnology, Ahmedabad