World cotton production is projected at 25.0 million tons in 2006/07, 300,000 tons higher than last season. World cotton area is estimated slightly up at 34.4 million hectares, the second largest in a decade.
The world average yield is projected to remain stable at 726 kilograms per hectare, 45 kg above the five-year average.
Since last month, major changes in production estimates have occurred for China (Mainland) and Pakistan. On one hand, Chinese production is now forecast at a record 6.5 million tons, up 240,000 tons from last month.
Adequate harvest weather has increased yield and quality expectations. On the other hand, production in Pakistan is now forecast at 2.0 million tons, down 190,000 tons from last month due to intensive attacks by a new strain of leaf curl virus reported in the Punjab province.
This would be the second consecutive season of production decrease in Pakistan, after the record of 2.5 million tons reached in 2004/05.
U.S. production is projected at 4.5 million tons, down 14 percent from last season. Indian production is still projected at a record 4.6 million tons. Uzbek production is now forecast at 1.1 million tons, 110,000 tons lower than last season.
Production in the CFA zone is forecast at 950,000 tons, slightly higher than last season despite lower planted area, thanks to increases in yields.
However, this hides considerable disparities inside the region: production in Burkina Faso is expected to reach a record 330,000 tons, whereas production in Togo is forecast at a 20-year low of 20,000 tons.
marketing@alchempro.com
