Global cotton mill consumption is forecast to grow by 1.4% or 1.7 million bales (1 bale = 480 pounds) in the 2026/27 season to nearly 121.8 million bales, the highest in six years.
Consumer demand for cotton apparel products is expected to rise with world economic growth, although mill use is likely to be limited by the continued competition from synthetic fibers.
In addition, relatively stable world cotton fiber prices during 2025/26 and the need to replenish yarn and fabric inventories are also expected to support the higher mill use forecast for 2026/27.
Global cotton mill use is forecast to improve for the fourth consecutive year in 2026/27. Each major country’s cotton mill use is projected to rise in 2026/27 from its year-ago level except for Vietnam and Turkey, where mill use is forecast unchanged.
China and India remain the leading cotton-consuming countries and together are forecast to account for 55% of the global total.
China’s mill use is projected at 41.5 million bales in 2026/27, 500,000 bales or 1.2% above 2025/26 and the highest since 2010/11 as China remains the largest supplier of apparel products to the world.
China alone is expected to account for over one-third of 2026/27 global cotton mill use. Although cotton mill use growth for China is below the world average of 1.4%, several other countries like India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh are forecast to experience growth that exceeds the global average in 2026/27 as they each look to expand their textile and apparel product exports.
India’s cotton mill use in 2026/27 is forecast at 26.0 million bales, up 2% or 500,000 bales above 2025/26 and matching the record set in 2020/21. India is expected to contribute around 21% of total world cotton mill use in 2026/27.
Pakistan’s 2026/27 cotton mill use is forecast to rebound 2% or 200,000 bales to 10.2 million bales after a 600,000-bale decline in 2025/26 and account for 8% of the world total in 2026/27.
“Mill use in Bangladesh is also forecast to increase 2.6% or 200,000 bales to 7.8 million bales in 2026/27, contributing nearly 6.5 percent of the global total,” USDA said in its latest June report.
Meanwhile, 2026/27 cotton mill use in Vietnam and Turkey are projected at 2025/26 levels. Vietnam’s mill use is forecast at 7.8 million bales in 2026/27, slightly below the 2024/25 record. Vietnam is forecast to account for nearly 6.5% of the world total in 2026/27.
While, cotton mill use in Turkey is projected at 6.8 million bales in 2026/27, or 5.5% of the global total
Image courtesy: Britanicca
