Vietnam looks set to hold its position as the world’s foremost cotton importer in 2026/27, a ranking first it claimed in 2025/26, with Bangladesh and China trailing.
The mills of the SE Asian country are projected to bring in 8.0 million bales of 480 pounds each, matching the record volume achieved in 2025/26.
Bangladesh, meanwhile, is on course for a 2.5% rise in imports, equivalent to 200,000 bales, lifting its total to 7.6 million bales, the strongest showing in two years.
Beijing’s import figure is pencilled in at a steady 7.0 million bales, holding firm despite a smaller anticipated domestic harvest, as inventories are trimmed modestly to compensate.
India presents the clearest contrast, with purchases tipped to fall to just 2.5 million bales, down sharply from 4.6 million bales the season before. This follows a stock build-up in 2025/26.
On the export side, Brazil and the United States continue to dominate global shipments, together accounting for 63% of worldwide trade.
Brazil’s outbound volumes, forecast at 15.0 million bales, are set to slip by 300,000 bales owing to tighter domestic supply, yet Brazil should retain its crown as the top exporter for a fourth straight campaign.
American exporters are forecast to edge up by under 1%, or 100,000 bales, reaching 12.3 million bales and capturing 28% of global trade, versus Brazil’s 35% share.
Shipments out of Australia are projected to tumble by more than 20% to 4.5 million bales, reflecting the smaller 2025/26 harvest now moving into export channels.
According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), even with that steep drop, Australia should hold its rank as the third-largest exporter worldwide, supplying 10% of global trade.
Overall global cotton trade for 2026/27 is expected to settle at 43.3 million bales, marking a dip from the prior season as mill consumption climbs.
Total worldwide cotton imports are forecast roughly 600,000 bales, or 1%, softer than in 2025/26, with a sharp pullback in Indian purchasing more than cancelling out gains posted by other major buying nations.
