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#Raw Materials

Tariffs to escalate, production to outpace consumption

In the 2024/25 season, estimates show that production should reach 25.9 million tonnes, 7.38% higher than in 2023/24. Consumption is expected to increase but by a smaller percentage (2.27%), reaching 25.5 million tonnes. Given escalating tariffs, regulatory pressures, and fiber market competition, consumption is expected to remain under pressure.
© 2025 ICAC
© 2025 ICAC


World trade is estimated to be about 9.9 million tonnes, which is very close to the previous season’s levels. The cotton lint trade is under slight pressure due to tariff escalations between China and USA, with both being leaders and close bilateral trade partners in cotton. Any changes in trade policies between those two countries would have ripple effects all over the global cotton trade.

In 2018 and 2019, during the trade tension phase between US and China, China had diverted its trade basket away from the USA and towards Brazil and Australia for its cotton import needs; those countries are expected to gain the most if tariff escalations between US and China continue in 2025. In the 2024/25 season, the USA has supplied comparatively more cotton to Pakistan and Vietnam than China.

Please note that the cotton balance sheets have been moved to the ICAC Data Dashboard. This ensures that the season balance sheets are always up-to-date and available whenever you need them. This also helps to reduce errors because the data is compiled directly from our database. They are included in this PDF report, but we strongly encourage users to obtain all data from the Dashboard.

Dr Matthew Looney has resigned as Data Scientist at the ICAC. The new author of Cotton This Month is Parkhi Vats, ICAC Economic Affairs Officer. You can email her with comments and questions by clicking here.

https://www.icac.org/

The next Cotton This Month will be released on May 1, 2025.




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#Raw Materials

China projected to increase cotton production, yields, and imports in 2026/27

World cotton production in the 2026/27 season is projected at 25.9 million tonnes, exceeding global consumption of 25.2 million tonnes, according to the May 2026 issue of Cotton This Month. That means both production and consumption are expected to remain close to current season levels, while global cotton trade is projected to decline by 2.7% to approximately 9.6-9.7 million tonnes.

#Raw Materials

ICAC launches Carbon Credits Initiative to deliver new income streams to cotton farmers

The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) has announced a new initiative designed to unlock additional income streams for cotton farmers through participation in carbon credit markets, linking sustainable production practices directly to financial returns.

#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.

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#Raw Materials

ECCO introduces first shoe featuring innovative protein-based fibre

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#Raw Materials

Kraig Biocraft Laboratories reports major progress converting record-setting spider silk cocoon production into reeled silk

Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, Inc. (OTCQB: KBLB) (“the Company”, “Kraig Labs”, or “Kraig’s”), a world leader in spider silk technology*, today announced significant progress in the processing of its recently produced recombinant spider silk cocoons into reeled silk.

#Textile processing

trinamiX mobile NIR spectroscopy: New applications for the footwear and textile industry

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#Raw Materials

Fiber traceability - A vehicle to ensure sustainability or injustice?

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#INDEX 2026

“We clearly see that reliability, flexibility, service and total cost of ownership are becoming increasingly important again.”

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#INDEX 2026

ANDRITZ at INDEX ’26: Driving sustainability with next-generation nonwoven technologies

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#INDEX 2026

INDEX™26: World’s leading nonwovens exhibition presents groundbreaking product launches, exclusive seminars and immersive experiences

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