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#Raw Materials

Global consumption forecast at 27.5 million tonnes for 2018/19

*The price projection for 2018/19 is based on the ending stocks-to-mill use ratio in the world-less-China in 2016/17 (estimate), in 2017/18 (estimate) and in 2018/19 (projection), on the ratio of Chinese net imports to world imports in 2017/18 (estimate) and 2018/19 (projection), and the average price of 2017/18. Projection reflects 95% confidence interval. (c) 2018 ICAC
According to the November 2018 Cotton This Month report, the industry is likely to see declining numbers in many major categories next season. Due to uncertainties in the world economy and trading market, the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) Secretariat has revised its global consumption forecast for 2018/19 downward to 27.5 million tonnes.

Global production is also expected to decrease in 2018/19, from 27 million tonnes to 26.3 million tonnes, and although Brazil and West Africa are expected to see upticks in planted area, they are unlikely to be significant enough to offset losses in Australia, China, India and the United States.

The decline in global ending stocks continues as well, finishing the 2017/18 season at 18.9 million tonnes — down 22% from 2014/15’s record-high of 23 million tonnes. The trend is expected to continue next year, with the projected 6% decrease further eroding stocks to 17.7 million tonnes, the lowest number seen since 2011/12.

Other highlights include:

  • Total ending stocks in China are expected to drop to 8.2 million tonnes, representing the lowest levels since 2011/12.
  • China’s stocks-to-use ratio also continues its decline, falling to 93% for the first time since 2011/12.
  • Outside of China, cotton stocks increased for the third season in a row, surpassing 10 million tonnes.


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#Raw Materials

Redesigned World Cotton Day website offers tools, ideas and inspiration

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#Raw Materials

ICAC’s 84th Plenary Meeting to be held March 24-26, 2027, in Alexandria, Egypt

Registration will soon be open for the International Cotton Advisory Committee’s 84th Plenary Meeting, to be held March 24-26, 2027, in Alexandria, Egypt. The local Organizing Committee in Egypt has chosen “Building a Resilient and Competitive Future for Cotton and Textiles” as the theme for the event, which will be held at the Rixos Montaza Alexandria Resort.

#Raw Materials

Global cotton production projected to outpace consumption, but risks remain

Global cotton production is projected to reach 26.2 million tonnes in the 2026/27 season, marginally outpacing estimated consumption of 25.9 million tonnes. However, early-season production risks — including weather volatility and pest pressures — could narrow that buffer as the crop progresses, according to the September 2026 issue of Cotton This Month, published by the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC).

#Natural Fibers

Global garment trade nears USD 550 billion as competition intensifies

The global garment industry has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past two decades, with knit and woven garments together accounting for nearly 60% of world textile exports in 2025, according to the August 2026 issue of The Textiles Observer, a free publication from the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC).

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#Raw Materials

ALLIED expands down traceability with lot-level carbon footprint data

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#Raw Materials

Cotton made in Africa puts farmer dialogue at the heart of agricultural training

A new manual created by the Aid by Trade Foundation and African People & Wildlife shows how Cotton made in Africa aims to transform cotton cultivation through dialogue rather than directives.

#Raw Materials

Cotton Brazil Dialogues 2026 concludes with 50 international participants immersed in Brazilian cotton production

The Cotton Brazil Dialogues concludes its 2026 edition after a series of technical visits to farms, cotton gins and reference centers, as well as workshops focused on Brazilian cotton production. A total of 50 participants from 14 countries took part in the field trips. The initiative is led by the Brazilian Association of Cotton Growers (Abrapa) and the National Association of Cotton Exporters (Anea), with support from the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil).

#Raw Materials

Brazil sets new cotton export record and consolidates global leadership

Brazil ended the 2025/26 commercial year with a new record, consolidating its position as the world’s largest cotton exporter. Between August 2025 and July 2026, the country shipped 3,373,941 tonnes of the fiber, 19% more than in the previous cycle, and reached record revenue of US$5.3 billion. The result represents a milestone in Brazil’s expansion in the international market and reinforces the country’s role as a strategic supplier to the global textile industry.

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#Sustainability

Jeanologia Sustainability Report highlights environmental impact of textile technologies

Jeanologia has published its Sustainability Report 2025, reporting a 13.64% reduction in its own carbon footprint and quantifying the environmental impact associated with the use of its technologies across the global textile industry. According to the company’s calculations, their use avoided the pollution of 21.52 million m³ of water and emissions of approximately 103,530 tonnes of CO₂ compared with conventional textile finishing processes.

#Sustainability

Global Standards announce launch of a new textile processing standard

The 14th September 2026 marks the public launch of the Global Responsible Textile Standard (GRTS), a new standard for the processing of textiles made from fibres certified to third-party standards recognised by GRTS and covering a broad range of plant, animal, synthetic, man-made cellulosic and recycled fibres.

#Industry 4.0 / Digitalization

Orient Rongheng connects production planning across China and Bangladesh with FastReactPlan

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#Sustainability

bluesign launches bluepass alongside first consumer-facing campaign

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