Washington D.C., United States – The latest U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates for 2016/17 project world cotton production at 102.5 million bales, 6 percent above the previous season’s 13-year low. The three largest cotton-producing countries remain India, China, and the United States. In 2016/17, these countries are forecast to account for 62 percent of global production, slightly below the 3-year average (approximately 63.5 percent) as larger crops are expected from a number of other cotton-producing countries. Nevertheless, India is expected to remain the leading producer, first surpassing China in 2015/16 (fig. 1).

IndiaΆs status as the leading producer largely stems from having the most cotton area. Harvested area in India is forecast at 10.9 million hectares (26.9 million acres) in 2016/17, accounting for 37 percent of the world total; in comparison, cotton harvested area for the United States and China contribute 13 percent and 9 percent, respectively. Yields in India, however, are forecast 30 percent below the 2016/17 world average of 756 kg per hectare (674 pounds per acre).

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture