The latest U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) cotton projections for 2013/14 indicate that global 2013/14 cotton consumption is estimated at 109.5 million bales, 3 percent (3 million bales) above the preceding year. Although rising for a second consecutive season, world consumption remains below production.

China continues as the leading cotton spinner, but mill use there is expected to decrease for the fourth consecutive season as policies have forced textile mills to import more cotton yarn; India, Pakistan, and Vietnam are the major yarn suppliers to China. Mill use in China is forecast at 35.5 million bales this season, down from 50 million bales in 2009/10.

India’s 2013/14 cotton consumption estimate is currently forecast at 23.0 million bales, a 250,000-bale reduction from March, as higher exports and lower imports reduce supplies available to mills; however, consumption is still 5 percent above last season. Pakistan is forecast to use 11.5 million bales of cotton in 2013/14, a 500,000-bale increase over last month and last season.

Pakistan’s mill use is projected to rise for the third consecutive season in 2013/14. Vietnam, like India and Pakistan, is benefiting from China’s import demand for cotton yarn. In 2013/14, Vietnam is expected to use 2.8 million bales of cotton, two-thirds more than it used in 2011/12.