Cotton: World Markets and Trade (January 2004)

May 2004 Edition:

2004/05 World Production Outpaces Demand

World production in 2004/05 is forecast at record 102.5 million bales, up 9.6 percent. Area is projected to respond to higher prices seen this year and in some major producing countries production is expected to recover from weather effects experienced last season. World consumption is forecast up 1.2 percent at a record 99.0 million bales as improving global economic conditions are expected to boost demand. World production is expected to exceed consumption for only the second time in the last six years. World ending stocks are forecast to increase 3.8 million bales to 36.5 million bales, with a stock to use ratio of 36.8 percent, up 3.4 percentage points from the current year, but still lower than any other year since 1994/95. World trade is expected to decrease by nearly 8 percent, with imports at 30.8 and exports at 30.5 million bales. The United States is forecast to capture 37.7 percent of world exports down from the record 41.8-percent share expected this year.

U.S. production for the 2004 crop is forecast at 17.6 million bales down 3.6 percent from the previous crop and in line with the average for the prior 10-year period. The production forecast is based on NASS reported planting intentions and historical abandonment rates and yields. Consumption for 2004/05 in the U.S. is forecast to decline by 7.9 percent to 5.8 million bales, as continued downward pressure is put on the U.S. spinning industry as the remaining textile and apparel quotas are phased out. U.S. exports are forecast at 11.5 million bales, down from the record 13.8 million in 2003/04. While higher production in net exporting countries will increase competition, production increases in net importing countries will lower import demand. U.S. ending stocks are forecast at 3.9 million bales, up 300,000 bales. The U.S. stock-to-use ratio is expected to increase from 17.9 to 22.5 percent.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

U.S. Cotton Outlook
World Cotton Outlook
Cotton Prices
U.S. Cotton Highlights

Most statistical tables contained in this circular may be viewed in Adobe Acrobat format ® (.pdf).

Tables

Table 1: World Cotton Supply, Use and Trade, 1998/99-2003/2004 (1,000 metric tons) {.pdf}

Table 2: World Cotton Supply, Use and Trade, 1998/99-2003/2004 (1,000 480-lb. bales) {.pdf}

Table 3: FY 2002 GSM-102 and Supplier Credit Programs {.pdf}

Table 4: Area, Yield, and Production by Country 2002/2003-2003/2004 {.pdf}

Table 5: Cotton Supply & Distribution by Country 2003/2004 (1,000 480-lb. bales) {.pdf}

Table 5-A: Cotton Supply & Distribution by Country 2003/2004 (1,000 metric tons) {.pdf}

Table 6: Cotton Supply & Distribution by Country 2003/2004 (1,000 480-lb. bales) {.pdf}

Table 6-A: Cotton Supply & Distribution by Country, 2003/2004 (1,000 metric tons) {.pdf}

Table 7: Export Sales Summary {.pdf}

Table 8: Northern European Cotton and Adjusted World Price {.pdf}

Table 9: World Cotton Production, Yield, Supply, and Utilization {.pdf}

Table 10: United States Cotton Production, Yield, Supply, and Utilization {.pdf}

Table 11: Foreign Cotton Production, Yield, Supply, and Utilization {.pdf}

Table 13:Summary of Changes 2001/04-2002/2003 (1,000 480-lb. bales) {.pdf}

Most statistical tables are available in Adobe Acrobat and Lotus version 3 format. You may need to GET the Acrobat reader.

Last modified: Sunday, March 17, 2013