COTTON: The U.S. cotton estimates for 2013/14 are revised slightly to reflect higher production. Production is raised 118,000 bales from last month, due mainly to an increase for Texas. Domestic mill use is unchanged, but exports are raised to 10.5 million, leaving ending stocks unchanged at 3.0 million bales. The marketing-year average price is projected in a narrower range of 72-77 cents per pound, with the midpoint of 74.5 cents raised marginally from last month.
The 2013/14 world cotton supply and demand estimates include higher production and marginally lower consumption, resulting in an increase of 1.2 million bales in ending stocks. Production is raised mainly for China, where government classing data indicates that Xinjiang production, which accounts for about 60 percent of the total, may exceed 2012/13. Production also is raised for Argentina, but is reduced for Pakistan, and Pakistan’s consumption also is reduced. World stocks are now projected at 97.6 million bales, with China accounting for 60 percent of the total.