Transition and Competition in World Cotton Consumption

In recent years, world cotton consumption has averaged significantly below the peak levels of the mid-2000s due to economic recession, government policies, and structural changes affecting inter-fiber competition.  The recent sharp decline in world cotton prices, combined with continued economic recovery, is expected to boost consumption growth.  The paper will examine the main variables that drive global cotton consumption, recent developments in cotton's fiber share and the distribution by consumption by country, and the likely impacts on the world cotton consumption outlook.