FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date Posted: March 2, 2026
Washington, DC — Global cotton production is projected to decline by 4% in the 2026/27 season to 24.8 million tonnes, while consumption is expected to remain relatively steady at 25.0 million tonnes, according to the March 2026 edition of Cotton This Month.
Lower cotton prices, shifting planting intentions in major producing countries, and weaker demand — particularly from China — are contributing to the projected reduction in output. With production currently exceeding consumption in 2025/26, the anticipated decline next season could bring global supply and demand closer to balance.
China is expected to remain the world’s largest producer and consumer of cotton, though its use of cotton is projected to decline modestly as manmade fibers gain market share. India, Brazil, and the United States continue to play central roles in global supply, while Bangladesh and Vietnam remain key drivers of import demand.
World cotton lint trade in 2026/27 is projected at 9.6 million tonnes. Brazil is expected to remain the world’s largest exporter, followed by the United States and other major exporting regions.
Recent trade policy developments — including new U.S. tariff measures and updated trade agreements involving Bangladesh, India, and the European Union — introduce additional uncertainty into the global cotton market. The full implications of these measures will depend on implementation and market response.
For the most current statistics, please refer to the ICAC’s Statistics Portal. It is updated continuously, and new information is reflected immediately, making it a valuable resource throughout the month.
The author of Cotton This Month is Parkhi Vats, ICAC Economic Affairs Officer. You can email her with comments and questions by clicking here.
If you are a subscriber to Cotton This Month, please access your account with your username and password here. To subscribe to Cotton This Month, please click here.
The next Cotton This Month will be released on April 1, 2026.
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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.