Many aspects of the global cotton industry are expected to decline in the 2018/19 season, including area, yields, production, and stocks, according to the latest update from an inter-governmental group.

The International Cotton Advisory Council (ICAC) projects global cotton area will decrease 2% to 33.4m tonnes, while global yields are expected to decline by 1% to 777 kg per hectare, remaining close to the ten-year average of 770 kg per hectare.

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In addition, global production is projected to decrease by 4% to 26m tonnes and global stocks are expected to decline to 17.2m tonnes.

The decrease in stocks come from China, with the rest of the world’s inventory remaining steady at 10.2m tonnes. With only 7.1m tonnes in its warehouses — the lowest number since 2011/12 — China is expected to import 2m tonnes of fibre for its mills in 2018/19.

Despite an expected 2% decrease, India will remain the world leader in cotton plantings with 11.9m hectares. The United States is expected to remain the world’s top exporter at 3.5m tonnes, and the second and third largest importers (after China) are expected to be Bangladesh and Vietnam at 1.8m tonnes and 1.7m tonnes, respectively.

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