Worldwide consumption of cotton by spinning mills is projected to reach 122.9 million bales, each of 480 pounds during the 2026/27 season, marking a rise of 1.8 million bales, or 1.5%, compared with 2025/26.
This would represent the strongest showing since 2020/21, when global mill consumption hit an all-time peak of 124.5 million bales.
Forecasters point to resilient global economic expansion, alongside firmer polyester pricing, as the key factors likely to underpin this uptick in worldwide cotton usage over the coming season.
Among the six leading cotton-spinning nations, China, India, Pakistan, Vietnam, Bangladesh and Turkey — combined mill consumption is expected to represent 82% of the global total in 2026/27, holding steady at the same proportion as the previous season.
Nearly every major spinning nation is forecast to see consumption climb during 2026/27, with Turkey the sole exception, where usage is expected to hold flat.
China’s mill consumption is projected to reach 42.0 million bales in 2026/27, an increase of 400,000 bales versus the prior year.
China continues to dominate global spinning activity, contributing more than a third of worldwide cotton mill consumption.
India’s mill consumption is forecast to reach 26.5 million bales in 2026/27, reflecting growth of 2%, or 500,000 bales, over the previous season.
The country retains its position as the world’s second-largest spinning nation, with its share of global mill consumption expected to edge up slightly to 22%.
Pakistan, meanwhile, is projected to account for 8% of worldwide consumption, equivalent to 10.2 million bales, representing a 3% gain on the prior year.
“Bangladesh’s mill consumption is likewise expected to grow by close to 3%, adding 200,000 bales to reach 7.6 million bales in 2026/27,” the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) said in its latest report.
Vietnam’s consumption is forecast to tick up modestly to 8.2 million bales, whilst Turkey’s usage is expected to remain steady at 6.8 million bales.
Image courtesy: Grain Central
