Global Cotton Output Slightly Higher In 2023-24

Global cotton production in cotton year 2023-24 is forecast at 116.7 million bales (1 bale = 480 pounds), 400,000 bales or slightly higher from the previous cotton year and which had the largest crop in four years.

According to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) statistics, the higher production is forecast for most of the major cotton-producing countries in 2023-24.

The hike in production will be led by the United States and Pakistan with an additional two million bales, respectively, while India’s cotton crop will grow by 500,000 bales. However, a decline of 3.7 million bales in China is expected to partially offset the increases.

Global cotton harvested area in 2023-24 is forecast at 31.9 million hectares, slightly above 2022-23, but is near the three year average.

World cotton yield is projected at 797 kilograms per hectare in 2023-24, similar to the previous season.

Production in China is projected to be 12 percent lower in 2023-24 at 27 million bales, as both, area and yield are expected to be 6 percent lower at 2.9 million hectares and 2,027 kg per hectare, respectively.

China is projected to contribute 23 percent of global cotton production in 2023-24, compared with 26 percent in 2022-23.

For India, a two percent increase is expected as against the 2022-23 crop as a rebound in yield more than offsets a reduction in area.

For 2023-24, India’s harvested area is forecast to decline as alternative crops are expected to reduce cotton area to 12.4 million hectares, while the national yield is forecast at 448 kg per hectare, the highest in three years.

India is expected to account for approximately 22 percent of the world’s production in 2023-24, similar to the previous season.