The acreage under cotton cultivation amongst the biggest cotton producers in the world like China, USA, Australia, Pakistan and Brazil is expected to decline in the 2026-27 season, but will hold steady in India.
China is expected to remain the world’s largest cotton producer despite a projected 0.5% decline in area to 3 million hectares and a 4% decline in production to 7 million tons.
Favourable weather conditions are expected to support strong crop performance, yielding a globally unmatched 2,421 kg per hectare.
In the US, planted area is projected to decrease by 6% to 2.9 million hectares, pulling production down 4% to 2.8 million tons, the lowest level in three seasons.
“Despite a 98% drought footprint threatening abandonment rates, yields are projected 2% higher due to El Niño, and exports are forecast to rise 3%,” the latest issue of ‘Cotton This Month’ informed.
Following four consecutive seasons of expansion, Brazil’s cotton area is projected to contract by 6% to 2 million hectares, leading to a 10% drop in production to 3.8 million tons.
The reduction is primarily concentrated in Mato Grosso due to weak demand, rising fertilizer costs, and strong competition from corn.
India will continue to maintain the world’s largest cotton area, holding steady at approximately 11.8 million hectares and production is projected to expand by 8% due to normal monsoon forecasts.
The additional output is expected to be absorbed by growing domestic consumption and strong yarn exports to China.
Driven by extreme dryness, reduced irrigation water, and high input costs, Australia’s cotton area and production are both projected to decline by 10%, bringing total output to around 937,000 tons.
Production is projected to decline by 18% to approximately 900,000 tons in Pakistan despite an unchanged cultivation area.
The Pakistan cotton sector performance remains heavily constrained by poor seed quality, high pest pressure, and unpredictable weather patterns.
Image courtesy: Britanicca
