Global 2011/12 cotton crop to reach a record high

Global 2011/12 cotton production is estimated to rise 6 per cent from a year ago, to a record 123.6 million bales, as major producers, especially in the Southern Hemisphere, prepare for a bumper crops.

This expected rebound in production is attributed mainly to relatively higher cotton prices at the time of planting, and relatively favorable weather conditions during the crop season.

China, the world’s largest cotton producer, is estimated to produce 33.5 million bales in 2011/12, up 10 per cent from the previous year when output plunged to a 5 year low.

If realised, the 2011/12 crop will raise China’s share of global production to 27 per cent, slightly higher than the previous year’s.

China’s 2011/12 area harvested is estimated at 5.5 million hectares, a 7 per cent increase from a year ago.

Australia and Brazil are estimated to produce 4.8 million bales and 9.3 million bales in 2011/12, an increase of 14 per cent and 3 per cent, respectively, from a year earlier; both countries will produce record crops.

The Southern Hemisphere countries are well positioned to respond to market intelligence about Northern Hemisphere supplies due to an almost 6 month differential in the cultivation and trading calendar between hemispheres.

Australia’s 2011/12 area is estimated at 580,000 hectares, down 2 per cent from the previous year, but yields are estimated sharply higher due to improved irrigation. Brazil’s estimated 2011/12 harvested area stands at 1.4 million hectares, unchanged from a year earlier.

India and Pakistan are expected to grow 27 million bales and 10.6 million bales in 2011/12, up 2 per cent and 21 per cent, respectively, from the previous year.

For India, this will be an all-time high as producers expand area by 10 per cent. Pakistan’s area harvested is estimated to rise 14 per cent from flood-reduced levels from a year ago to 3.2 million hectares.

The United States and Uzbekistan are estimated to produce 15.7 million bales and 4.2 million bales in 2011/12, a 13-per cent decrease for the United States and a 2- per cent increase for Uzbekistan.

Global 2011/12 harvested cotton area is estimated at 35.7 million hectares, up 7 per cent from the preceding year, and yield is estimated at 754 kg/ha.