FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date Posted: November 3, 2025
Washington, DC — As we prepare to turn the calendar on 2025, world cotton lint production currently is estimated to be about 25.4 million tonnes — roughly the same as the last season — surpassing the world cotton lint consumption by 392,000 tonnes.
World trade was 7.4% lower in the 2024/25 season at 9.1 million tonnes mainly due to decreased import demand from China (down 65%), which more than offsets any increase in imports from other regions. Tariff escalations also caused considerable changes in the trade forecasts and trade baskets for cotton lint in the current season, and we expect the impact to continue in the coming months/seasons.
Other notable findings in the November CTM:
- In the 2025/26 season, the top cotton lint producers are estimated to remain the same as last season, with slight changes in their world market share.
- Both yields and the world area under cotton are held very close to the last season. The area is estimated to be about 30.4 million hectares and the yield is held at about 835 kg/ha — slightly higher than the decade average
- Consumption will also be led by China, comprising 32% of total world consumption, followed by India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Türkiye, together comprising 76% of total world consumption.
ICAC’s Statistical Data Portal
For the most current statistics, please refer to the ICAC’s Statistics Portal. It is updated with new data constantly, and that new information is immediately reflected in the Portal, making it a valuable resource all month long.
ICAC’s Price Projections
The Secretariat’s current Cotlook A price forecast for the 2025/26 season, based on current supply and demand estimates, ranges from 62 to 91 cents per pound, with a midpoint of 74 cents per pound. ICAC’s price projections are made by Ms Lorena Ruiz, ICAC Economist.
The author of Cotton This Month is Parkhi Vats, ICAC Economic Affairs Officer. You can email her with comments and questions by clicking here.
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The next Cotton This Month will be released on December 1, 2025.
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About the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC)
Formed in 1939, the ICAC is an association of cotton producing, consuming, trading, and investing countries. It acts as a catalyst for change by helping Member governments maintain a healthy world cotton economy; provides transparency to the world cotton market by serving as a clearinghouse for technical information on cotton production; and serves as a forum for discussing cotton issues of international significance. In addition, Members can take advantage of the ICAC’s global network of cotton researchers, whose expertise covers the supply chain from farm to textile manufacturing, and have free access to its cutting-edge technologies like the voice-based app and virtual reality cotton training program. Committed to ensuring cotton’s continued sustainability, the ICAC is the only intergovernmental commodity body covering cotton that is recognized by the United Nations. For more information, please visit www.icac.org, Twitter or LinkedIn.