World cotton output grown by 6% in 2015-16

August 28, 2016

According to International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) report world cotton production is projected to increase 6% year over year to 22.5 million tons in 2015/16. However, ICAC also estimates world ending stocks to have fallen by 13 per cent to 19.5 million tons in 2015/16, as global cotton demand outpaced production.

World cotton consumption is forecast to remain stable at 23.8 million tons, with China likely to be the largest consumer in 2016-17, despite an expected decrease in mill use of 3% to 7.1 million tons, which would be the seventh consecutive season of contraction.

According to the report, world cotton consumption in 2016-17 is expected to exceed world cotton production by 1.4 million tons, which would bring ending stocks to 18.1 million tons, down 7% from 2015/16.