#Raw Materials

2026-09-02

Global cotton production projected to outpace consumption, but risks remain

Global cotton production is projected to reach 26.2 million tonnes in the 2026/27 season, marginally outpacing estimated consumption of 25.9 million tonnes. However, early-season production risks — including weather volatility and pest pressures — could narrow that buffer as the crop progresses, according to the September 2026 issue of Cotton This Month, published by the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC).

Historically, global production estimates decline by approximately 100,000 tonnes from initial projections as crop conditions clarify. Assuming normal seasonal developments, ICAC projects that 2026/27 production will likely ease toward 26.0-26.1 million tonnes, with steeper declines possible if major weather disruptions or pest outbreaks emerge.

Key Regional Highlights

China: Ongoing sales from state reserves, which began July 20 and have averaged roughly 8,000 tonnes per auction, are improving near-term domestic availability. However, eventual reserve replenishment — alongside potential weather risks in Xinjiang — could lead ICAC to revise China’s import demand upward later this season.

India: Upward revisions bring estimated 2025/26 production to 5.5 million tonnes (+9%) and consumption to nearly 5.9 million tonnes (+7%), driven by strong domestic mill demand and textile export growth. Long-term stability is being bolstered by the government’s five-year Cotton Mission and digital initiatives like the Kapas Kisan app (enrolling over 4.1 million farmers) and Kasturi Cotton Bharat's blockchain traceability framework.

Pakistan: Production remains constrained by climate variability, pest infestations, poor seed quality, and high input costs. Output is estimated at 1.15 million tonnes in 2025/26 (-4%) and projected to fall further to 1.10 million tonnes in 2026/27, expanding reliance on raw cotton imports.

United States: Planted area is revised upward to 3.3 million hectares (+5%), raising projected 2026/27 output to 2.9 million tonnes. Additionally, newly implemented US Section 301 tariffs (10% to 12.5%) are altering global trade flows; key manufacturing hubs like Vietnam may face a cost disadvantage, prompting buyers to reassess sourcing strategies.

Price Projections

The ICAC Secretariat forecasts the 2026/27 Cotlook A Index price to range between 62 and 99 cents per pound, with a midpoint of 78 cents per pound.

The author of Cotton This Month is Parkhi Vats, Principal Statistician & Data Architect at ICAC.

The next issue of Cotton This Month will be released on October 1, 2026. Real-time statistical updates are available continuously via the ICAC Data Portal.

ICAC Data Portal

ICAC’s 84th Plenary Meeting to be held March 24-26, 2027, in Alexandria, Egypt

Registration will soon be open for the International Cotton Advisory Committee’s 84th Plenary Meeting, to be held March 24-26, 2027, in Alexandria, Egypt. The local Organizing Committee in Egypt has chosen “Building a Resilient and Competitive Future for Cotton and Textiles” as the theme for the event, which will be held at the Rixos Montaza Alexandria Resort.

Global garment trade nears USD 550 billion as competition intensifies

The global garment industry has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past two decades, with knit and woven garments together accounting for nearly 60% of world textile exports in 2025, according to the August 2026 issue of The Textiles Observer, a free publication from the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC).

ICAC International Seminar in Taipei to explore strategic synergies across the textile supply chain

The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) — together with the Taiwan Textile Federation (TTF), under the guidance of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan — will bring international cotton and textile leaders together in Taipei on September 10 for the ICAC International Seminar 2026.

Cotton Brazil Dialogues 2026 concludes with 50 international participants immersed in Brazilian cotton production

The Cotton Brazil Dialogues concludes its 2026 edition after a series of technical visits to farms, cotton gins and reference centers, as well as workshops focused on Brazilian cotton production. A total of 50 participants from 14 countries took part in the field trips. The initiative is led by the Brazilian Association of Cotton Growers (Abrapa) and the National Association of Cotton Exporters (Anea), with support from the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil).

Brazil sets new cotton export record and consolidates global leadership

Brazil ended the 2025/26 commercial year with a new record, consolidating its position as the world’s largest cotton exporter. Between August 2025 and July 2026, the country shipped 3,373,941 tonnes of the fiber, 19% more than in the previous cycle, and reached record revenue of US$5.3 billion. The result represents a milestone in Brazil’s expansion in the international market and reinforces the country’s role as a strategic supplier to the global textile industry.

SHIMA SEIKI to showcase flat knitting and digital design solutions at Egypt Stitch & Tex

Leading Japanese computerized flat knitting technologist SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, together with its sales representative in Egypt, TTS (EL MASRIA FOR TRADE & TECHNICAL SERVICES), will participate in the upcoming 24th International Exhibition for Textile & Carpet Machineries, Printing Technologies and Accessories (Egypt Stitch & Tex) to be held in Cairo, Egypt this month.

Coats Digital launches AI-powered GSD RealMotion for motion analysis

Coats Digital has launched GSD RealMotion, an AI-powered solution designed to provide apparel manufacturers with greater visibility into factory-floor operations. By analysing shop-floor video and applying Coats Digital’s GSD methodology, the solution turns video recordings into structured, motion-by-motion method studies.

Archroma and Lameirinho partner in pioneering deployment of InOneGO single-step dyeing

Archroma, a global leader in specialty chemicals, and Lameirinho, a leading home textiles manufacturer based in Portugal, are collaborating to bring InOneGO by Archroma, a new single-step dyeing process, into commercial production. Lameirinho’s first InOneGo bedlinens collection is now available worldwide.