July 2000
World cotton production for 2000/01 is projected at 87.4
million bales, 0.7 million higher than the 86.6 million estimated
for 1999/2000. Estimated production in the United States is
increased to 19.3 million bales from 17.0 million last season, as
area is up nearly 0.5 million hectares on higher international
prices over the past six months. Also, U.S. yield potential is up
on favorable weather events from California to Texas offsetting
the drought in the Southeast. This estimate assumes historical
average area abandonment from 6 to 8 percent. Production in China
is about flat at 17.5 million bales as high domestic prices hold
production despite government policy to reduce area for cotton.
The production outlook in other major cotton producers is mixed.