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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

Global production expected to decline in 2026/27 as policy shifts and weak demand reshape trade

Early projections for the 2026/27 season indicate that global cotton lint production will decline by 4% to 24.9 million tonnes, while world consumption is expected to remain stable at approximately 25 million tonnes, according to the April 2026 issue of Cotton This Month.

#Raw Materials

The 83rd Plenary Meeting: Reports from the ICAC Secretariat

Every year, one of the most anticipated sessions at the International Cotton Advisory Committee's (ICAC) Plenary Meeting is the Reports from the Secretariat — and the 83rd edition in Bremen, Germany, did not disappoint.

#Raw Materials

ICAC projects slight decline in production, relative stability for consumption

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.

#Europe

ICAC to support European Commission on pending PEF legislation

The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) is proud to announce that it has been included as a member of the European Commission’s Technical Advisory Board (TAB) on the Product Environmental Footprint methodology. The Commission developed the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) to assess and communicate the life cycle environmental performance of products and organizations.

More News on Raw Materials

#Man-Made Fibers

Lenzing commissions 14 MW power‑to‑heat facility, strengthening grid stability and heat management

The Lenzing Group has successfully commissioned a new power‑to‑heat (P2H) facility with an electrical capacity of 14 megawatts. The installation converts renewable electricity directly into process heat, is fully integrated into the existing heat network at the industrial site, and represents a key building block for a fossil‑free heat supply. As project partner, VERBUND was responsible for the energy‑market integration and will operate the facility for balancing energy marketing, enabling it to respond flexibly to short‑term fluctuations in the power grid.

#Raw Materials

Kraig Biocraft reaches next step in production growth

Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, Inc. (OTCQB: KBLB) (“the Company”, “Kraig Labs”, or “Kraig’s”), a world leader in spider silk technology*, today announced that it has produced more than 1.3 metric tons of recombinant spider silk cocoons in a single month. This is a new world record and shatters the Company’s previous production record by a factor of five. Today marks a pivotal step forward in the transition of spider silk from laboratory innovation to an industrial-scale material platform.

#Raw Materials

New study shows low environmental impact by Cotton made in Africa Organic Cotton from Tanzania

Today, the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) is announcing the results of a comprehensive life-cycle analysis (LCA) for cotton produced in Tanzania under the Cotton made in Africa Organic (CmiA Organic) standard. The study emphasises the small ecological footprint of CmiA Organic verified cotton. This can largely be traced back to the absence of synthetic pesticides, artificial fertilisers, and artificial irrigation. Consequently, CmiA Organic cotton can help the textile industry meet regulatory requirements as well as science-based targets. The results also show that the consequences of climate change threaten the livelihoods of these cotton farmers, even though the type of agriculture they practise barely contributes to climate change.

#Raw Materials

Better Cotton Initiative strengthens regenerative focus in standard update

The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) has strengthened the regenerative focus of its field-level standard with the launch of a new version of its Principles & Criteria (P&C), which marks the next step in the organisation’s journey to becoming a regenerative standards system.

Latest News

#Techtextil 2026

Smart textiles can also be sustainable, eco-friendly and AI-powered – ITA at Techtextil 2026

Sports shoes made from algae, leggings made from mushrooms, filtering (diesel) oil from water, 4D textiles, recyclable, sustainable and featuring AI – this is what the ITA Group is presenting at three individual stands run by ITA Aachen, ITA Augsburg gGmbH and ITA Technologietransfer GmbH on the joint stand of Elmatex in hall 12.0 D05.

#Denim

TENCEL™ Lyocell - HV100 achieves global denim availability in six months; Vol. 2 debuts at Kingpins Amsterdam

When TENCEL™ Lyocell - HV100 debuted at last year’s Kingpins Amsterdam in October, 17 mill partners across five countries presented fabrics featuring the new fiber. Just six months on, participation has more than doubled, evolving into a global network that spans nine countries and four continents, signaling both strong industry momentum and growing demand.

#Digital Printing

Kornit Digital acquires PrintFactory to accelerate the industry’s transition to digital, on-demand production

Kornit Digital Ltd. (“Kornit Digital”, “Kornit” or the “Company”), a global pioneer in sustainable, on-demand, digital fashion and textile production, today announced its acquisition of PrintFactory, a global Netherlands-based technology leader of cloud-native workflow, color management and production automation software. The acquisition represents a strategic step in Kornit’s mission to accelerate the digital transformation of the global fashion and textile industry.

#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

Val:ue Milan unveiled – a curated boutique business hub for high-end apparel textiles

Messe Frankfurt continues to expand its international textile network with the announcement of Val:ue Milan. Moving beyond the traditional trade fair model, Val:ue Milan debuts as a prestigious, boutique-style business hub exclusively dedicated to elected fabrics and accessories for apparel. Taking place from February 3 to 5, 2027, at The Mall in Porta Nuova, the event breaks away from conventional formats through a strictly curated environment designed for strategic networking. By bridging the gap between high-end international manufacturers and top-tier segment buyers, Val:ue Milan further strengthens the Group’s global portfolio with a unique, high-impact concept built around a refined and carefully selected offering.

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