Cotton production to rise in 2010/11

World cotton production in 2010/11 is forecast at 117.0 million bales, up 16 percent from a year. Rising global cotton prices and improvements in credit availability have resulted in higher area in several major cotton producing countries.

World cotton area in 2010/11 is forecast at 32.9 million hectares, up 9 percent from the previous year and similar to the pre-crisis cotton area. Global cotton yield is forecast at 774 kg/ha, up 6 percent from the previous year. Yields are forecast higher in India and the United States the world’s second and third largest cotton manufacturers and also in Brazil and Uzbekistan, due to more favorable growing conditions.

In Australia, 2010/11 cotton area is now expected to increase to 375,000 hectares, up 88 percent from last season. The area forecast the highest in almost a decade is attributable to favorable world prices and ample supply of water from rainfall. Australia’s 2010/11 production is forecast to nearly double to 3.0 million bales from the previous year.

China, India, the United States, Brazil, and Uzbekistan are expected to increase production in 2010/11 by 2 percent, 12 percent, 55 percent, 31 percent, and 23 percent, respectively, to 32.5 million bales, 26.0 million bales, 18.8 million bales, 7.0 million bales, and 4.8 million bales. Pakistan’s production of 9.3 million bales is slightly below last season, but is revised down 9 percent from the July 2010 estimate, reflecting damage from the recent floods.

Read more on Cotton production to rise in 2010/11 at Fibre2fashion