World cotton production is expected to note 1 per cent increase in 2017-18. This has been stated by International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC). The world cotton production is forecast to reach 23.1 million tonnes in 2017-18 as high prices in 2016-17 encourage farmers to plant cotton.

However, the average yield is expected to decline by 2 per cent to 761 kg/ha, similar to the 4-year average while India’s production is projected to grow by 2 per cent to 5.9 million tonnes while production in China could reach 4.8 million tonnes in 2017-18 as area expands by 3 per cent to 3 million hectares after five seasons of contraction.

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High yields and firm prices will encourage farmers in the United States to expand cotton area in 2017-18. However, production is expected to remain unchanged from 2016-17 at 3.8 million tonnes as the average yield is assumed to be closer to the 5-year average.