U.S. cotton crop expected to be bigger in 2017-18, but prices remain stable -- for now.

The 2017-18 U.S. cotton crop could reach 19.2 million bales, according to a USDA World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report based on a planted acreage forecast of 12.2 million and the outlook for favorable moisture conditions this spring.

The 19.2-million-bale estimate, released as part of USDAΆs May 10 WASDE report, would mean the 2017-18 crop would be the largest since 2006 when U.S. growers harvested 21.6 million bales of cotton on 12.8 million acres.

In the report, USDA also increased its export forecast for the 2016-17 (Aug. 1 – July 31) marketing year to 14.5 million bales. USDA economists said the new number reflected higher-than-anticipated exports sales to date. Ending stocks were reduced to 3.2 million bales as a result of the increase in exports.

“Production is anticipated to rise 12 percent from 2016-17, based on 12.2 million planted acres as indicated in the (March 31) Prospective Plantings Report, combined with below average abandonment – due to relatively favorable moisture – and average yields,” the economists said in the WASDE report.

For 2017-18 they said domestic mill use is “projected higher at 3.4 million bales, while exports are expected to fall to 14.0 million, as competitorsΆ supplies grow. Ending stocks are projected at 5.0 million bales, or 29 percent of total use (due to the larger 2017-18 crop).”

Average reach 74 cents?

The marketing year average price received by producers could range from 54.0 to 74.0 cents per pound, according to the World Agricultural Outlook Board economists. Some technical analysts say cotton futures could still climb to 84 cents a pound this year.

The WASDE report indicated world cotton stocks are continuing to decline after reaching unprecedented levels while China placed millions of bales of excess cotton in its strategic reserve beginning in 2011.

“The world 2017-18 cotton projections show a decline in stocks of 2.4 million bales, as consumption exceeds production for the third consecutive season,” the report said. “Global production is expected to rise nearly 7 percent, despite marginally lower average yields, as area rebounds to its highest level in three years.”

Production is forecast to rise in all major producing countries, led by the United States (2.0 million bales higher) and India (1.5 million bales higher). Meanwhile, global consumption is projected to rise 2.3 percent, as a growing world economy drives mill use higher around the world.

“Projected world trade is also raised slightly from 2016-17, as import-oriented consumers such as Vietnam and Bangladesh are accounting for a larger share of world consumption,” USDA economists said. “Ending stocks are projected at 87.1 million bales, 75 percent of world consumption.

Chinese stocks falling

“Falling China stocks exceed the projected global decline while stocks outside of China rise for the second consecutive year. Despite the projected decrease, China stocks are still equivalent to more than 100 percent of China's total disappearance.” (ChinaΆs stocks reached the equivalent of 64 million bales before the government began auctioning them off in 2015.)

Intercontinental Exchange cotton futures were almost unchanged for the day (May 10) despite the forecast for increased U.S. cotton supplies.