- The latest (August 2011) USDA estimates for 2011/12 project global cotton consumption at approximately 115.2 million bales.
- After August reductions in both 2010/11 and 2011/12, cotton consumption for the current season is now forecast to grow about 1 percent after a decline of nearly 4 percent in 2010/11.
- The top four cotton-spinning countries—China, India, Pakistan, and Turkey—are forecast to account for nearly 72 percent of global cotton consumption in 2011/12, slightly below 2010/11 but equal to the average for the 2007-09 seasons.
- For China—the leading cotton spinner—the share of global consumption is forecast at 40 percent this season.
- Meanwhile, India—the second leading spinner—has seen its forecast share rise to 18 percent.
U.S. cotton production is down this year due to drought conditions in Texas. Other regions globally have increased production, however, which means that record global cotton production is anticipated for 2011/12.
source: usda