Fall in global cotton production predicted

The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC), an association of governments in cotton-producing countries, is projecting global cotton planting to contract by 8 percent and production to decrease by 6 percent to 25.1 million tons. The sharp decline in prices in 2011-2012, from recent record highs in 2010-2011, has made cotton a less attractive crop to farmers. Cotton production is expected to decline in most countries, with the exceptions of the U.S., Uzbekistan and Australia. Use of cotton mills is predicted to pick up in 2012-2013, assuming global economic recovery. The Committee forecasts global cotton mill use to rise by three percent in 2012-2013, which could fuel a rebound in world cotton trade and exports.