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#Raw Materials

Cotton Review: the 2018/19 season featured rollercoaster prices, with decreasing production, area and yields

Global stocks at the start of the 2018/19 season were 1% higher than the previous season at an estimated 18.7 million tonnes. At 84 cents per pound, the international reference price of cotton was lower than the previous season’s ending average of 88 cents per pound.

Highlights from the latest ‘Review’ regarding the 2018/19 season include:

  • The year started with rising prices and ended with falling prices
  • Global area decreased by 1% to 32.6 million hectares (ha) and yield declined 2% to 790 kg/ha
  • World production slipped 3% to 25.7 million tonnes
  • More than half of global stocks (52%) are now being held outside of China
  • After a few years of relative calm, world agricultural markets face policy uncertainty and trade tensions

After a 99.5 cent per pound price at the start of the season, prices fell throughout the year. Global area under cotton decreased by 1% to 32.6 million hectares. Global yield decreased slightly by 2% to 790 kg/ha but remained above the ten-year average of 776 kg/ha. As a result, global production decreased by 3% to 25.7 million tonnes.


Weakening economic growth amidst trade issues set the environment for a decrease in consumption with a near 1% loss to 26.2 million tonnes. With consumption exceeding production, global ending stocks for the season decreased by 2% to 18.3 million tonnes.

As ending stock levels in China lowered, the ratio of stocks held in China and stocks held outside of China inverted with 52% of global stocks now being held outside of China. Trade in cotton lint increased by 2% to 9.2 million tonnes with the USA, Brazil, West Africa and Australia leading in global exports.

New uncertainties have emerged in addition to the usual risks facing agriculture. Following several years of relatively calm market conditions, world agricultural markets today face mounting risks, including policy uncertainty from trade tensions. Open, transparent and predictable trade is important for the cotton market and its role as an important commodity in the global economy.


More News from International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC)

#Raw Materials

World Cotton Day 2026 to bring global cotton and textile community to Tashkent on October 7

The Government of Uzbekistan and the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) will host the official World Cotton Day 2026 Partners Conference at the Hyatt Regency in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on October 7.

#Natural Fibers

2026 ICAC report projects World cotton trade to reach 10.3 million tonnes by 2028/29

The International Cotton Advisory Committee has released the 2026 World Cotton Trade Report, which provides analysis of global cotton trade patterns, key trading relationships, import and export trends, and the geopolitical and policy developments shaping cotton trade flows.

#Natural Fibers

"Review" examines the outlooks for seven major cotton producers

The newest issue of Cotton: Review of the World Situation provides an in-depth look at how seven important cotton-producing countries are responding to changing markets, rising production costs, climate pressures, evolving technologies, and growing demands for quality and sustainability.

#Natural Fibers

Global cotton trade poised for recovery as India and China drive import demand

The July 2026 issue of Cotton This Month highlights a changing global cotton market, with consumption and trade expected to strengthen despite a modest decline in production during the 2026/27 season. The next issue of Cotton This Month will be released on August 1, 2026.

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#Raw Materials

Aid by Trade Foundation presents annual report for 2025: Market position and impact of sustainably verified natural fibres strengthened

Despite global supply chain challenges, the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) was able to further expand its international role in promoting sustainably verified natural fibres in 2025. In doing so, the foundation remains true to its fundamental approach of leveraging market forces. Last year, it generated total revenues of EUR 7.8 million; this included EUR 6.7 million collected through the successful marketing of four standards: Cotton made in Africa (CmiA), CmiA Organic, The Good Cashmere Standard (GCS), and the Regenerative Cotton Standard (RCS). AbTF invested the resulting income in projects aiming to protect biodiversity, support women, increase transparency in the textile supply chain, and implement its verification system.

#Raw Materials

Cotton Brazil Dialogues field trip brings international stakeholders closer to Brazil’s cotton production chain

How do you build trust across the global textile value chain? By opening the farm gates. This is the principle behind the Cotton Brazil Dialogues. At the end of July, the programme welcomed its first group of international participants for a five-day immersion into Brazilian cotton production, combining field visits with technical workshops to showcase the quality, sustainability, innovation and traceability behind one of the world’s leading cotton origins.

#Raw Materials

Kimberly-Clark develops alternative natural fiber platform for hygiene products

Kimberly-Clark has introduced a proprietary innovation program aimed at developing alternative natural fibers for future hygiene products. The company has created a patented materials platform based on fibers derived from hesperaloe, a drought-tolerant succulent native to the southwestern United States.

#Recycling / Circular Economy

Indorama Ventures advances circularity tthrough PETValue Philippines' “Zero Waste to Landfill Partnership” with Republic Cement

Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited, a global sustainable chemical company, is advancing the circular economy through a new Zero Waste to Landfill initiative at its recycling site PETValue Philippines, further demonstrating how collaboration across industries can maximize resource efficiency and reduce waste.

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#Knitting & Hosiery

Small stitches, big impact

KARL MAYER machines enable the highly efficient production of mosquito net fabrics with maximum protective performance.

#Yarn & Fiber

Expansive innovations converge in Shanghai as Yarn Expo Autumn 2026 opens doors next week

With just days to go, industry enthusiasm is building for the opening of Yarn Expo Autumn, Asia’s premier yarn and fibre trade fair, running from 25 – 27 August at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). Across 27,000 sqm in Hall 8.2, buyers will find nearly 600 exhibitors from 14 countries and regions, spread across seven specialised zones that range from cutting-edge man-made and regenerated fibres to time-honoured cashmere and silk. Beyond the extensive sourcing options, a fringe programme of trend showcases, presentations and product launches rounds out the three¬day event with design, innovation and market intelligence.

#Carpets

DOMOTEX Southeast Asia 2026 - Building the Gateway to ASEAN's fast-growing flooring market

From 11–13 November 2026, the inaugural DOMOTEX Southeast Asia will take place at BITEC (Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre) in Bangkok, Thailand. Jointly organized by GLOBUS Events Limited and Hannover Milano Fairs Shanghai Ltd., with Worldex G.E.C. Co., Ltd. as the local partner, the exhibition marks the expansion of the internationally recognized DOMOTEX brand into Southeast Asia. As the newest addition to the global DOMOTEX portfolio, the exhibition has been developed specifically to serve the rapidly evolving ASEAN market, creating a dedicated business event for the flooring and interior finishing industry.

#Sustainability

Execs help steer Cascale’s consumer goods agenda in Athens

The 2026 Cascale Annual Meeting, taking place September 15–17 in Athens, Greece, will convene leaders from across the global consumer goods value chain to tackle one of the industry’s defining questions: how to accelerate meaningful, system-wide transformation. Guiding those conversations as this year’s co-chairs are Sean Cady, vice president, global sustainability, responsibility, trade, and government affairs at VF Corporation, and Dr. Delman Lee, vice chair at TAL Apparel Limited.

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