Cotton demand-supply to achieve parity in 2011

News was prepared under the information support of Online Daily Newspaper on Hellenic and international Shipping "Hellenic Shipping News".

2 Sep 2010

World cotton production and consumption are forecast to roughly balance at 25.1 million tons in 2010/11, as a result of a 15% rebound in production and a 2% increase in mill use,according to International Cotton Advisory Committee. World ending stocks are expected to remain at 9.1 million tons, while the ratio of ending stocks to mill use could decrease from 37% to 36%, the lowest since 1989/90. The tightening of stocks available for mill use has pushed cotton prices higher.
The United States is driving the forecast rebound in global production in 2010/11, with an expected crop of 4.0 million tons, 52% larger than last season. China and India are expected to account for most of the increase in global cotton mill use in 2010/11.
Imports are expected to continue to recover in 2010/11, growing by 9% to 8.5 million tons. This increase will be driven by Chinese imports, forecast 29% larger at 3.1 million tons. U.S. exports are projected up by 27% to 3.3 million tons in 2010/11, fueled by the expected larger crop, and the U.S. share of global exports could rebound from 34% to 39%.
The ICAC Price Model forecasts a 2010/11 season-average Cotlook A Index of 89 cents per pound. The 95% confidence interval extends from 76 to 106 cents per pound. This forecast implies a 15% increase with respect to the 2009/10 season-average Cotlook A Index. However, caution must be exercised since all commodity markets are subject to great uncertainty.
Beginning stocks will account for only 27% of world supply in 2010/11, down from 35% in the previous season. The decline in stocks as a percent of supply suggests that cotton prices in 2010/11 will remain unusually susceptible to changes in crop prospects.

Source: Commodity Online