Global cotton area to increase 11% in 2017-18: ICAC

Planted area in India is estimated at 11.55 million hectares for 2017-18, with production projected to grow by 8.7 per cent to 6.2 million tons. In 2017-18, planted area in the US continues to grow for the second season by an estimated 20 per cent to 4.6 million hectares. In Pakistan, plantings for 2017-18 are expected to increase by 24 per cent to 3.1 million hectares after several years of declining area with an anticipated 24 per cent growth in production to 2.06 million tons.

Production is projected to increase in all other major producing countries during 2017-18, including China, Brazil, Francophone Africa and Turkey.

Global cotton mill use is expected to grow in 2017-18 by 3 per cent to 25.2 million tons. Cotton mill use is also projected to grow moderately in India, Pakistan, Turkey, Bangladesh, Vietnam and Brazil. In China, mill use is expected to grow at 1 per cent to 8.12 million tons, while imports are expected to remain steady as the stock to use ratio decreases.

“The gap between cotton prices and polyester prices has continued to narrow since mid-2017 despite a recent upturn in cotton prices that may push cotton consumption higher. While mill use is rising, stocks will continue to grow as production outpaces consumption,” ICAC said. (RKS)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India