ICAC:2011/12&Nbsp; Annual Global Cotton Consumption Remains Unchanged.

Global economy in 2011 and 2012

Although cotton consumption in 2011/12 may remain unchanged, cotton prices were high last year, and cotton production is expected to increase.

The Secretariat estimates that global cotton production increased by 8% to 26 million 900 thousand tons in 2011/12, the largest production since 2004/05.

The increase in cotton production area by 36 million hectares is the main reason for the increase in cotton production over last year, and the average yield per unit area may only increase slightly to 745 kg / ha.

The main part of the global 2011/12 increase is in China and India.

Meanwhile, production in Pakistan, Australia, French speaking countries in Africa and Turkey is also expected to increase.

However, due to the severe drought in Southwest China, the output of the United States is expected to drop by 12%.

The global cotton trade in 2011/12 increased moderately by 2% to 7 million 800 thousand tons, as China's imports increased.

Exports from the United States are expected to decrease by 2% to 2 million 400 thousand tons due to reduced supply of cotton.

Exports from Australia and Brazil could reach a record high of 900 thousand tons and 800 thousand tons respectively.

India's exports are expected to remain stable at 1 million 100 thousand tons.

As the surplus cotton is expected to reach 2 million 300 thousand tons, global cotton stocks may rise to 11 million 300 thousand tons at the end of 2011/12.

The inventory to consumption ratio outside China is expected to increase from 46% to 55%, which may lead to a marked decline in the Cotlook A index this year.

The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) is a Government Association of cotton producing countries, consuming countries and trading nations.

The committee was established in 1939, and the secretariat was established in 1946.

The annual budget is $198 million, of which about 85% comes from government assessments, and 15% comes from subscription sales and conference and seminar participants.