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#Natural Fibers

2024/25 ending stocks are expected to be the lowest since 2011/12

With world cotton lint demand and supply metrics for 2025/26 remaining comparable to last month — production at 25.43 million tonnes and consumption at 25.4 million tonnes — the biggest development is in ending stocks, expected to be the lowest since 2011/12.
© 2025 ICAC
© 2025 ICAC


The 3.8% decrease in stocks, to 15.37 million tonnes, is mostly being driven by China, whose 2024/25 ending stocks declined 9% to 7.89 million tonnes. The use of stocks is the primary reason China's imports fell 65% to 1.1 million tonnes. For 2025/26, China has announced that it will issue 200,000 tonnes of sliding tariff rate cotton import quotas to textile enterprises to meet their cotton needs, same as last year. 

While the stocks outside China increased by 2% in the 2024/25 season, a major increase is reported by the USA, which ended the 2024/25 season with 9% higher ending stocks compared to the previous season at 817,000 tonnes. Apart from the USA, both Brazil and the West Africa region are also currently reporting higher ending stocks in the 2024/25 season.



More News from International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC)

#Europe

ICAC to support European Commission on pending PEF legislation

The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) is proud to announce that it has been included as a member of the European Commission’s Technical Advisory Board (TAB) on the Product Environmental Footprint methodology. The Commission developed the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) to assess and communicate the life cycle environmental performance of products and organizations.

#Natural Fibers

ICAC to collaborate with Uzbekistan and Bizpando on regenerative agriculture

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#Natural Fibers

Bangladesh becomes World's largest importer in 2024/25 after China cuts imports by 65% to 1.1 million tonnes

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#Natural Fibers

ICAC announces postponement of the 83rd Plenary Meeting in Tanzania

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More News on Natural Fibers

#Spinning

Measure and control the fiber – optimize yarn quality

Producing consistent yarn quality is an everyday challenge – and a very difficult one. Detailed knowledge and understanding of the fiber raw material is absolutely critical to achieving the best possible quality in the yarn. To help spinners, Uster experts have put together guidelines for avoiding yarn irregularity claims, in a special edition of the Uster News Bulletin.

#Raw Materials

Esquel Group adds two new extra-long staple cotton varieties approved

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#Raw Materials

Aid by Trade Foundation reaches new milestones in supply chain transparency

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#Natural Fibers

Merino wool moves into China’s high-performance sportswear market

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#Spinning

Rieter advances strategic repositioning amid market volatility

Rieter successfully completed the acquisition of Barmag on February 2, 2026, and reached an important milestone in the company’s repositioning. Barmag will be integrated into the Rieter Group as the “Man-Made Fiber” Division. With this strategically transformative acquisition, Rieter is expanding its core business beyond the short-staple fiber business in a targeted way. This positions Rieter as the global market leader along the entire value chain for natural and man-made fibers. In addition, as a complete systems supplier, Rieter is further strengthening its technological leadership in the areas of automation and digitization.

#Research & Development

Fabolose: Fabricating vegan and circular leather alternatives from bio-tech-derived cellulose

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#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

Connecting the ASEAN textile sector: sustainability, trends, and technology take centre stage at this week’s VIATT 2026

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#Software

Coats Digital appoints Himanshu Mehrotra as Managing Director to lead next phase of cloud and AI-driven innovation

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