World cotton area is projected to remain relatively stable in 2008/09 at 33.8 million hectares. However, cotton harvested area in the USA is projected to decline by a further 15% in 2008/09 as a result of surging prices for other commodities.
Reduced cotton plantings in the USA could be offset by increases in China (Mainland), India, the African Franc Zone, Australia and Brazil, while stable area is projected for Pakistan, Turkey and Uzbekistan.
World cotton production in 2008/09 is projected at 26.9 million tons (+3%), while cotton mill use is projected to grow at a lower rate of +1% compared with 2% in 2007/08 and 7% in 2006/07, due to slower world economic growth and an increase in cotton prices relative to polyester.
As a result of the gap between world production and consumption, world cotton ending stocks are projected to decline for the second season during 2008/09 to 11 million tons (-5% from 2007/08, and -13% from 2006/07).
The fundamentals of cotton supply and use alone would suggest a season-average Cotlook A Index of less than 70 cents per pound in 2007/08.
However, based on trends in prices during the first eight months of 2007/08, it is obvious that prices will be higher. Increases in prices of competing crops, the increasing role of speculative activity and commodity investment funds may be affecting cotton prices in ways that are not reflected in fundamental measures of cotton supply and use.
Consideringtrends in the Cotlook A Index during the first eight month of 2007/08 and assuming that the Cotlook A Index fluctuates between 76 and 83 cents per pound during the rest of the season, the Secretariat projects that the Cotlook A Index will average 74 cents per pound during 2007/08.
Based on this forecast for 2007/08, the ICAC Price Model 2007 forecasts a season average Cotlook A Index of 80 cents per pound in 2008/09 (the 95% confidence interval is between 67 and 93 cents per pound).
Reduced cotton plantings in the USA could be offset by increases in China (Mainland), India, the African Franc Zone, Australia and Brazil, while stable area is projected for Pakistan, Turkey and Uzbekistan.
World cotton production in 2008/09 is projected at 26.9 million tons (+3%), while cotton mill use is projected to grow at a lower rate of +1% compared with 2% in 2007/08 and 7% in 2006/07, due to slower world economic growth and an increase in cotton prices relative to polyester.
As a result of the gap between world production and consumption, world cotton ending stocks are projected to decline for the second season during 2008/09 to 11 million tons (-5% from 2007/08, and -13% from 2006/07).
The fundamentals of cotton supply and use alone would suggest a season-average Cotlook A Index of less than 70 cents per pound in 2007/08.
However, based on trends in prices during the first eight months of 2007/08, it is obvious that prices will be higher. Increases in prices of competing crops, the increasing role of speculative activity and commodity investment funds may be affecting cotton prices in ways that are not reflected in fundamental measures of cotton supply and use.
Consideringtrends in the Cotlook A Index during the first eight month of 2007/08 and assuming that the Cotlook A Index fluctuates between 76 and 83 cents per pound during the rest of the season, the Secretariat projects that the Cotlook A Index will average 74 cents per pound during 2007/08.
Based on this forecast for 2007/08, the ICAC Price Model 2007 forecasts a season average Cotlook A Index of 80 cents per pound in 2008/09 (the 95% confidence interval is between 67 and 93 cents per pound).
