According to USDA, US department of agriculture 2018-19 cotton projections, global cotton stocks are forecast to decrease. They are projected at 83 million bales for 2018-19 which is 5.2 billion bales, 6% below 2017-18.
In 2014-15, China held 60% of 110.8 million bales of cotton stock but due to policies implemented in China to reduce surplus stocks, world stocks have resulted lower since.
In Pakistan cotton production for 2018-19 has increased, it is 8.5 million bales compared to 8.2 million bales in 2017-18. Cotton mill use has also increased in 2018-19; it is 10.5 million bales against 10.4 million bales in 2017-18. Pakistan cotton end stocks for 2018-19 are 2.8 million bales.
In 2017-18 China cotton stocks were forecasted at 41.2 million bales while in 2018-19 they are projected to further decline to 33.1 million bales. Stocks outside china are forecasted to approach a record of 50 million bales.