Source: INTERNATIONAL COTTON ADIVISORY COMMITTEE, 1/3/17

The Secretariat forecasts that the season-average Cotlook A Index in 2016/17 will range between 66 and 83 cts/lb, with a midpoint of 74 cts/lb, which would be 4 cts/lb higher than last season. The current season started with a large shrinkage in stocks, particularly from countries in the Southern Hemisphere, which saw ending stocks in 2015/16 fall by 21% to 1.6 million tons, the lowest since 2009/10. The shortage in supply has carried through the first few months of the 2016/17 season, as the bulk of the crop was still being harvested, keeping prices firm. However, world cotton production in 2016/17 is projected to rise by 8% to 22.8 million tons, which may put pressure on cotton prices in the latter half of the season. World ending stocks may fall by 7% to 18 million tons in 2016/17, though stocks outside of China are expected to grow by 6% to 8.7 million tons.

With the exception of China, cotton production is projected higher in the top five producing countries. India’s cotton production is forecast to increase by 4% to just under 6 million tons, making it the world’s largest producer. Despite declining by 4% to 4.6 million tons, China would be the second largest producer in 2016/17. Production in the United States could rise by 28% to 3.6 million tons while production in Pakistan recovers by 20% to 1.8 million tons as efforts to prevent the reemergence of pink bollworm have been effective. Additionally, cotton production in the Southern Hemisphere, primarily Brazil and Australia, is expected to rise by 21% to 2.8 million tons, which could put pressure on prices through the end of 2016/17 to the start of the next season as both countries are also large exporters. Production in Brazil, the world’s fifth largest producer and largest in the Southern Hemisphere, is forecast to increase by 10% to 1.4 million tons. Production in Australia could grow by 64% to 1 million tons due to expanded plantings as farmers were encouraged by high prices and better water availability. 

World cotton consumption is likely to remain stable at 24.1 million tons. While prices for polyester, the main competing fiber, have risen in recent weeks, they still remain well below international cotton prices, making it unlikely that cotton mill use will expand this season unless polyester prices continue to rise. China’s consumption is expected to remain stable at 7.4 million tons, making it the largest consumer. However, mill use in India is projected to decline by 1% to 5.2 million tons while mill use in Pakistan is likely to remain stable at 2.3 million tons. Ongoing uncertainty in Turkey and competition from lower-priced cotton yarn imports could lead to a 3% decline in mill use to 1.45 million tons. However, cotton consumption is forecast to grow by 5% to 1.3 million tons in Bangladesh and 13% to 1.1 million tons in Vietnam. 

Given that most large cotton-consuming countries depend at least in part on imported cotton, trends in consumption are mirrored in the top importing countries. Bangladesh is forecast to increase its imports by 1% to 1.4 million tons, making it the largest importer in 2016/17 and Vietnam’s imports are projected to rise by 19% to just under 1.2 million tons. However, Turkey’s imports are expected to fall by 1% to 911,000 tons as falling mill use and higher production in 2016/17 limit demand. Substantial increases in exports are likely in countries with larger exportable surpluses and strong demand in international markets, such the United States and Australia, which are expected to be the first and third largest exporters in 2016/17.  

The ICAC Secretariat sends their best wishes to all in the cotton and other natural fiber industries for the New Year.