World Cotton Day

Global cotton production in 2024/25 is projected at 117.6 million bales, about 3.5 percent (4.1 million bales) above the previous year and 2 percent above the 5-year average (figure 6). For 2024/25, cotton production prospects for most of the major-producing countries are projected to increase. Year-over-year gains in the United States and Brazil were largely responsible for the global increase, offset slightly by declines in India and Pakistan. World 2024/25 cotton harvested area is forecast at 31.5 million hectares (77.8 million acres), less than 1 percent above the previous year. The 2024/25 global cotton yield is forecast at 813 kilograms (kg) per hectare (725 pounds per acre), 3 percent above the 3-year average and a record high. World cotton production is concentrated among a few countries, with the top four countries accounting for 71 percent of total expected production in 2024/25, the same as the previous season. China and India are expected to remain the leading cotton produ...

 World cotton trade in 2024/25 is forecast at 43.5 million bales, compared with 44.7 million bales in 2023/24. With global cotton mill use projected to expand in 2024/25, most major importing countries—excluding China—are expected to experience higher imports as well. Global cotton imports are forecast only slightly higher at 43.6 million bales in 2024/25, as China is projected to reduce its imports considerably this season. China, Bangladesh, and Vietnam are projected to be the largest importers in 2024/25, with imports of 10.0 million bales (-4.8 million bales), 7.8 million bales (+500,000 bales), and 7.1 million bales (+400,000 bales), respectively. Small export gains are seen for several countries but larger decreases elsewhere more than offset the gains. Larger exportable supplies in Brazil and the United States this season contribute to their small gains, while India’s lower crop projection limits its cotton export opportunities. Brazil and the United States are expected to a...