World Cotton production is projected to increase by 8% to 24.9 million tons in 2017/18 season due entirely to an 8% expansion in world Cotton area to 31.7 million hectares, which is below the 20-year average of 32.7 million hectares, the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) said in its latest report.
The world average yield is forecast at 785 kg/ha.
India is expected to remain the world’s largest producer in 2017/18 with output increasing by 6% to 6.1 million tons. After falling by 6% in 2016/17, China’s production is projected to rebound by 7% to 5.2 million tons.
Production in the United States is expected to rise by 10% to 4.1 million tons as high prices, sufficient soil moisture in dryland areas and beneficial weather during planting encouraged farmers to expand Cotton area by 18% to 4.5 million hectares.
After two seasons of contraction, better expected returns for Cotton encouraged farmers to expand Cotton area in Pakistan by 9% to 2.7 million hectares.
Assuming the average yield rises by 8% to 717 kg/ha, Pakistan’s production is projected to increase by 17% to 2 million tons, which is similar to its 15-year average.
Cotton production in Brazil is forecast to increase by 5% to 1.6 million tons as high returns in 2016/17, resulting partially from a 17% increase in the average yield, are likely to encourage farmers to expand Cotton area.
Source: www.commodityonline.com