By 2030, India’s cotton production is projected to expand to 7.2 mt (approximately 43 million bales of 170 kg each) by 2030 compared with current output of 6 mt equivalent to roughly 36 million bales. As per the latest OECD-FAQ report on Agriculture Outlook 2021-2030, India will contribute to as much as 40 per cent global increase in cotton production during the outlook period.

India, China, the US and Brazil will dominate global cotton production during the decade, the report says. Global cotton production will reach 28.4 million tonne (mt) with Asian countries China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Vietnam —accounting for 75 per cent of the total mill consumption (28.3 mt) during the period.

World cotton export is expected to expand by 25 per cent to surpass the 11 mt mark by the end of this decade, by which time sub-Saharan Africa with a share of 15 per cent is set to occupy the third position after US and Brazil, edging India down to the fourth position. Bangladesh, Vietnam, China, Turkey and Indonesia will continue to be major importers of the fibre.

India will continue to be the world’s largest cotton producer with the increase in production resting mostly on relatively higher yields, while area expansion is expected to be limited in line with recent trends.