March 29, 2012

 

Global 2011/12 cotton yield to hit record high level

 

 

For 2011/12, the cotton output worldwide is expected to increase 6% from last year, to a record 123.6 million bales, as main producers, especially in the Southern Hemisphere, plan for a bumper harvest.

 

This expected rebound in production is attributed mainly to relatively higher cotton prices at the time of planting, and relatively favourable weather conditions during the crop season.

 

China, the world's largest cotton producer, is estimated to produce 33.5 million bales in 2011/12, up 10% from the previous year when output plunged to a 5 year low.

 

If realised, the 2011/12 crop will raise China's share of global production to 27%, slightly higher than the previous year's.

 

China's 2011/12 area harvested is estimated at 5.5 million hectares, a 7% increase from a year ago.

 

Australia and Brazil are estimated to produce 4.8 million bales and 9.3 million bales in 2011/12, an increase of 14% and 3%, respectively, from a year earlier; both countries will produce record crops.

 

The Southern Hemisphere countries are well positioned to respond to market intelligence about Northern Hemisphere supplies due to an almost 6 month differential in the cultivation and trading calendar between hemispheres.

 

Australia's 2011/12 area is estimated at 580,000 hectares, down 2% from the previous year, but yields are estimated sharply higher due to improved irrigation. Brazil's estimated 2011/12 harvested area stands at 1.4 million hectares, unchanged from a year earlier.

 

India and Pakistan are expected to grow 27 million bales and 10.6 million bales in 2011/12, up 2% and 21%, respectively, from the previous year.

 

For India, this will be an all-time high as producers expand area by 10%. Pakistan's area harvested is estimated to rise 14% from flood-reduced levels from a year ago to 3.2 million hectares.

 

The US and Uzbekistan are estimated to produce 15.7 million bales and 4.2 million bales in 2011/12, a 13% decrease for the US and a 2% increase for Uzbekistan.

 

Global 2011/12 harvested cotton area is estimated at 35.7 million hectares, up 7% from the preceding year, and yield is estimated at 754 kg/ha.