Cotton and Hemp

Indonesian cotton imports in 2021/22 increased by 11.7 percent to 2.57 million bales due to increased economic activity following relaxed COVID-19 restrictions. However, due to the global economic slowdown leading to lower demand for Indonesian textiles and products, cotton imports in 2022/23 are forecast to slightly decline to 2.50 million bales.

U.S. agricultural exports to China in fiscal year (FY) 2022 were $36.4 billion and surpassed the previous year’s record with China as the largest export market for the second consecutive year. Significantly higher agricultural prices and resilient demand helped drive exports above the previous year’s record despite lower volumes for most products.

Post forecasts 2022/23 planted cotton area at 1.66 million hectares (ha), with production at 13.3 million bales (2.89 million metric tons, MMT), about a 13 percent increase from the 2021/22 estimated production of 11.52 million bales (2.5 MMT). Cotton area is forecast to rise because of favorable weather leading to timely first-season soybean planting and improved yields, as well as a favorable outlook for prices and profitability.