COTTON AND WOOL OUTLOOK September 12, 1996 Approved by the World Agricultural Outlook Board ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- COTTON AND WOOL OUTLOOK is published monthly (except January) by the Economic Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20005-4788. CWS-0896. Note: Tables in this report will not be properly formatted unless printed or displayed with both a fixed-pitch font, such as Courier, and an 80-character line width. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cotton Crop Lowered The 1996 U.S. cotton crop was reduced to 17.9 million bales in September, 4 percent below August indications and equal to last season's crop. Upland production is estimated at 17.3 million bales (675,000 bales below last month) while the extra-long staple (ELS) crop is forecast at 574,000 (down 2,000 bales). Historical differences between the September forecast and final production indicate that chances are two out of three that the 1996 cotton crop will range between 16.8 and 19.0 million bales. The national cotton yield declined 25 pounds per harvested acre from August and is currently estimated at 661 pounds. The reduction in yield resulted from lower production in the Delta and the West. Meanwhile, this season's ginnings totaled 343,150 running bales prior to September 1, compared with 427,000 ginned by the same date last year. While the 1996 U.S. cotton crop is earlier than normal this year, the average condition of the crop remains slightly above last season. As of September 8, 52 percent of the crop had bolls opening, compared with 47 percent a year ago and a 42-percent average during the last 5 years. In addition, 57 percent of the U.S. cotton acreage is rated "good" or "excellent" in early September, while 14 percent is rated "poor" or "very poor." Most States had more than 60 percent of their area in the "good" or "excellent" category. Texas, however, had only 42 percent in the upper ranges. The largest production decline this month occurred in the West. The crop is estimated at 3.2 million bales, 420,000 below the August forecast. Data from the objective yield survey for California indicated the lowest large boll count during the past 10 years, and small boll and square counts are the fourth lowest. Yields in California fell nearly 200 pounds to 1,134 pounds per harvested acre. Overall, the region's yield is forecast at 1,131 pounds. In the Delta, production is forecast at 5.8 million bales, 300,000 below the initial forecast. The largest declines occurred in Arkansas and Louisiana where the production potential fell a combined 290,000 bales due to yield loss. A slight production decline in Mississippi was offset by an increase in Missouri. The Delta yield dropped 37 pounds from August to 715 pounds per harvested acre. In the Southwest, no changes were made in September. Production is projected at 3.8 million bales, with an average yield of 422 pounds per harvested acre. In contrast, the Southeast showed a slight increase, attributable solely to Alabama. For the region, nearly 4.5 million bales of production are forecast, with an average yield of 686 pounds per harvested acre. However, effects of Hurricane Fran on the Southeast are not included in this month's estimates. Foreign Net Imports Reduced Improved 1995/96 outturn in some of the world's late-harvesting regions raised estimated foreign beginning stocks for 1996/97 this month, in turn cutting expected net foreign import needs for 1996/97, and reducing U.S. export prospects. Production overseas in 1996/97 was little changed this month at 69.5 million bales due to offsetting changes in India and China. Foreign consumption was also virtually unchanged as a higher forecast in India offset smaller forecasts for China, Turkey, and Brazil. The largest revisions for 1995/96 and 1996/97 this month were for India. Southern India's cotton is harvested well after most Northern Hemisphere crops, and unexpectedly large arrivals at gins since May have resulted in a steadily rising production estimate for India's 1995/96 crop. In May 1996, USDA's estimate for India stood at 10.9 million 480-pound bales. By August, it had been raised to 11.9 million bales, and this month was raised another 360,000 bales to nearly 12.3 million. India's 1995/96 consumption estimates also have risen over the last few months, from 10.8 million bales in May to 11.4 million this month. The upward revisions for India's performance in 1995/96 suggested better prospects than earlier foreseen for both production and consumption in 1996/97. The forecast for production was raised 800,000 bales this month to 11.3 million bales, while consumption was raised 550,000 bales to 11.8 million. However, China's weaker production prospects more than offset India's gain in September. China's 1996/97 crop was reduced due to increasing evidence that problems procuring the large 1995/96 harvest cut returns to producers, cutting farmers price expectations for the 1996/97 crop. Area was down 4 percent from the previous estimate, to 4.8 million hectares. Yield prospects also were trimmed in the wake of August rains and flooding in northern China, and the forecast for the crop was reduced 1 million bales to 18 million. China's consumption estimate was trimmed 300,000 bales to 20.2 million, the same as the preceding 2 years. The profitability and production of China's textile industry has been poor of late. Textile exports have been hampered since the end of calendar 1995 by reduced value-added tax export rebates and a continued rising real exchange rate. The tight monetary policy that is partly responsible for the exchange rate also has increased the cost of borrowing across the entire economy, exacerbating the longstanding structural problems facing China's textile industry. U.S. Export Sales and Shipments Weak Higher revised 1995/96 production estimates for Australia and Brazil --in addition to India's production and a cut in Turkey's consumption--also contributed to higher 1996/97 beginning stocks. In part due to these larger stocks, expected foreign imports for 1996/97 fell 275,000 bales, and foreign exports rose 110,000 bales. In total, the net foreign trade outlook is less favorable this month by nearly 400,000 bales. U.S. export sales have been lagging this year, with commitments through September 5 the third lowest since 1975. Commitments have averaged almost 60 percent of the year's exports by the sixth week of the marketing year, but September 5 commitments of 2.2 million bales total about 35 percent of the 6.2-million-bale export forecast. Comparisons between 1996/97 and other years are difficult due to the varying impact of the step 2 program over the years. Program changes this year in determining the value of step 2 payments and the unprecedented activity under step 3, make 1996/97 even less comparable with the recent past. Before 1990, export commitments by the sixth week of the marketing year were always between 46 and 77 percent of the year's actual exports (1974, the first year data were collected for USDA's Export Sales publication, was an exception at 113 percent). Since 1991, they have varied between 21 percent and 94 percent. The U.S. share of world beginning stocks is perhaps its lowest ever this year, at 7.4 percent, compared with a 13.6-percent average over 1987-95. However, the expected U.S. share of production--20.5 percent--is relatively high. And subtracting U.S. consumption from production still leaves U.S. "excess" production equal to 7.7 percent of the expected world crop in 1996/97, about average. With beginning stocks tight, but expected available production average, delayed purchases of U.S. cotton make sense, and importers are likely to draw on U.S. supplies later in the marketing year than usual. A minor reduction in 1995/96 exports was made this month, placing U.S. cotton exports at 7.7 million bales. No other revisions were made at this time as July export and import data will be released later this month. Imports in 1995/96 are estimated to have reached 375,000 bales, the largest since the 1929 season. Helping to achieve this level were June imports of 115,000 bales, the highest monthly total since March 1920 when imports reached 134,000 bales. U.S. Mill Consumption and Stocks U.S. cotton mill consumption data for 1995/96 should be finalized later this month. Meanwhile, preliminary data indicate that U.S. mills used 10.6 million bales of cotton last season, 5 percent below 1994/95. However, cotton's share of fiber use on the cotton system averaged 78 percent during 1995/96, 1 percentage point above the previous season and the highest since the 1966 season. Based on the preliminary July data, U.S. mill use averaged 37,500, 480-pound bales per day, the second lowest of the season as many mills traditionally shut down during the week of July 4. Only December 1995's daily rate was lower. However, July 1996's daily rate was well above last year's 35,400 bales per day. While 1995/96 cotton mill use fell slightly from a year ago, manmade fiber usage on the cotton system declined more than 11 percent from 1994/95. Manmade fiber use totaled 1.4 billion pounds, the lowest in over 20 years and similar to its 1974/75 level. Cotton mill consumption in 1996/97 is projected to rebound as demand for cotton textile products rises this season. Strong retail sales are keeping inventories at relatively low levels. In addition, U.S. cotton textile exports continue to expand and are on track to surpass 3 million bale-equivalents in 1996, nearly 10 percent above 1995. In 1996/97, U.S. cotton mill use is expected to rise more than 5 percent to 11.2 million bales, similar to the 1994/95 level. Based on the revisions in U.S. cotton supply and demand, 1996/97 ending stocks declined 10 percent from the August estimate. Total supply this season is estimated at 21 million bales, including 500,000 in imports. While supplies are estimated similar to a year ago, total use is projected to decline by nearly 1 million bales. Therefore, 1996/97 ending stocks are estimated to rise 38 percent to 3.6 million bales, a stock-to-use ratio of 20.7 percent. Cotton Prices Mixed; Manmade Unchanged Through mid-August, the average price received by upland producers declined to 74.3 cents per pound from a revised July price of 76.2 cents. During August 1995, the upland price was 72.6 cents. Spot prices also fell in August. While the upland price decreased only slightly, the ELS spot price dropped 15 cents to $1.19 per pound. On the other hand, upland mill-delivered cotton prices rose slightly in August to 82.6 cents per pound. A year ago, the cotton price averaged 89.7 cents. In contrast, manmade fiber prices remain unchanged for the last 4 months. Polyester staple prices in August were reported at 78 cents per pound, while rayon staple remained at $1.15 per pound. Meanwhile, Northern Europe cotton prices have slipped several cents since the beginning of the marketing year. In August, the A Index averaged around 76 cents per pound and has remained near this average in early September. However, the U.S. quotes remain about a dime above the average and nearly 15 cents above the Central Asian quote, the lowest in the A Index. Textile Trade Declines in June Textile imports increased for the second consecutive month in June to 645 million pounds, 6 percent above May but 9 percent below June 1995. Overall, larger shipments of cotton, wool, and manmade fiber textiles more than offset slight declines in silk and linen imports. Larger imports of all end-uses except yarn, thread, and fabric occurred in June, with apparel shipments up nearly 39 million pounds (10 percent) from a month earlier. Cotton textile imports, at 343 million pounds, were up 5 percent from May, but were 11 percent below June 1995 shipments. Imports from Asia increased 9 percent to 186 million pounds. Although cotton textile shipments from North America declined slightly in June, imports from Mexico increased 2 percent to 45.6 million pounds. Textile exports were down only slightly from record May shipments. Total June exports, at 285 million pounds, were 5 percent below a month ago, but 3 percent above year-earlier shipments. Lower exports of all major fibers occurred in June, compared with a month earlier. Overall, lower shipments of apparel and floor coverings more than offset slight increases in yarn, thread, and fabric and home furnishings. Cotton textile exports, at 128 million pounds, were down 6 percent from May. U.S. cotton textile shipments to North America declined over 6 million pounds to 95.8 million. Overall, the textile trade deficit continued to decline during the first 6 months of 1996. The 1996 deficit reached 1.9 billion pounds at the end of June, compared with 2.3 billion last year. Cotton accounts for the largest share (60 percent) as the deficit totaled nearly 1.2 million pounds, or the equivalent of more than 2.4 million bales of raw cotton. However, with stronger exports of all major fibers, the textile trade deficit should decline for the first time in several years. Lower Wool Production Forecast U.S. wool production this season is estimated at 30 million pounds, clean, 12 percent below 1995 (33.6 million pounds) as the sheep stock continues to decline. Raw wool imports are also forecast down at 85 million pounds, 4 percent below last year. Raw wool imports totaled 46.1 million pounds during January through June 1996, compared with 51.5 million a year earlier. Domestic mill use is projected down slightly this year to 140 million pounds. Final 1995 wool consumption totaled 142 million pounds. Mill use during the first 6 months of 1996 was 70.4 million pounds, 9 percent below the corresponding period of last year. Consumption on the woolen and worsted systems were down 7 and 13 percent, respectively. However, carpet mill use, at 5.8 million pounds, was up 3 percent from a year earlier. With lower wool production and imports this year, ending stocks are forecast to decline slightly to 38 million pounds. Despite the decline in U.S. stocks, abundant foreign supplies are expected to pressure domestic prices. Wool farm prices are projected to average near 85 cents per pound, down 19 cents from the 1995 average price received by farmers. As a result of reduced production and the elimination of wool incentive payments, total revenue from wool production in 1996 may drop slightly below $50 million. Sheep and Wool Research and Promotion Referendum To Be Held This Fall The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that a second referendum on the Sheep and Wool Promotion, Research, Education, and Information Order will be held no later than October 1. A referendum was passed last February 6 by 54 percent of the votes cast. However, the order was suspended because of inconsistencies in voting procedures which negated the results of that referendum. Eligible voters--sheep producers, sheep feeders, and importers of sheep and sheep products--will be notified of the second referendum. For the order to become effective, it must be approved by either a majority of voters or by voters who account for two-thirds of the production represented in the referendum. The order, which was authorized by the 1994 Sheep Promotion, Research, and Information Act, would be funded by mandatory assessments on domestic producers and feeders, and on importers of sheep and sheep products. The assessments would be used to develop a program to strengthen the position of sheep and sheep products in the marketplace. The next Cotton and Wool Outlook (CWS-0996) will be released on October 15. For further information, contact Leslie Meyer at (202) 501-8528 (U.S. Cotton), Steve MacDonald at (202) 219-1179 (Foreign Cotton), or Robert Skinner at (202) 219-0767 (Textiles and Wool). U.S. COTTON SUPPLY AND USE ESTIMATES ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1996/97 ---------------------------- Item 1995/96 Jul Aug Sep ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Upland: Million acres Planted 16.72 14.10 13.98 13.98 Harvested 15.80 13.45 12.73 12.73 Pounds Yield/harvested acre 533 657 679 653 Million 480-lb. bales Beginning stocks 2.59 2.56 2.56 2.56 Production 17.53 18.46 18.00 17.33 Total supply 1/ 20.49 21.41 20.95 20.38 Mill use 10.50 10.90 10.90 11.10 Exports 7.40 6.19 6.19 5.80 Total use 17.90 17.09 17.09 16.90 Ending stocks 2.56 4.32 3.89 3.48 Percent Stocks-to-use ratio 14.3 25.3 22.7 20.6 Extra-long staple: 1,000 acres Planted 215 264 264 264 Harvested 211 259 262 262 Pounds Yield/harvested acre 836 1,000 1,056 1,052 1,000 480-lb. bales Beginning stocks 59 37 37 37 Production 368 540 576 574 Total supply 1/ 437 592 623 621 Mill use 100 100 100 100 Exports 300 410 410 400 Total use 400 510 510 500 Ending stocks 37 82 113 121 Percent Stocks-to-use ratio 9.3 16.1 22.2 24.2 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Based on USDA estimates. 1/ Includes imports. WORLD COTTON SUPPLY AND USE ESTIMATES ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1996/97 ------------------------------ Item 1995/96 Jul Aug Sep ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Supply: Million 480-lb. bales Beginning stocks World 29.29 33.78 34.33 34.95 Foreign 26.64 31.18 31.73 32.35 Production World 91.50 88.99 88.35 87.35 Foreign 73.60 69.99 69.77 69.45 Imports World 26.94 26.57 26.57 26.39 Foreign 26.56 26.17 26.17 25.89 Use: Mill use World 84.96 86.97 86.67 86.84 Foreign 74.36 75.97 75.67 75.64 Exports World 27.59 26.95 26.73 26.44 Foreign 19.89 20.35 20.13 20.24 Ending stocks World 34.95 35.23 35.68 35.22 Foreign 32.35 30.83 31.68 31.62 Stocks-to-use ratio Percent World 41.1 40.5 41.2 40.6 Foreign 43.5 40.6 41.9 41.8 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Based on USDA estimates. FIBER SUPPLY ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1996 1995 -------------------------- Item May Jun Jul Jul ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Cotton: 1,000 480-lb. bales Ginnings 0 0 0 0 Imports since August 1 90.2 205.1 NA 20.5 Stocks, beginning 5,814 4,538 3,527 3,655 At mills 662 660 629 759 Public storage 4,519 3,513 2,668 2,586 CCC stocks 1,103 752 496 292 Manmade: Million pounds Production 811.3 829.6 845.8 802.5 Noncellulosic 769.3 788.3 807.4 760.1 Cellulosic 42.0 41.3 38.4 42.4 Total since January 1 3,968.2 4,797.8 5,643.6 5,748.3 1996 1995 --------------------------- Apr May Jun Jun ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Million pounds Raw fiber imports 91.1 93.7 91.9 78.8 Noncellulosic 85.9 88.3 85.2 73.4 Cellulosic 5.2 5.4 6.7 5.4 Total since January 1 347.1 440.8 532.7 552.3 Wool and Mohair: 1,000 pounds Raw wool imports, clean 5,574 7,011 5,946 5,200 48's-and-finer 3,824 5,232 4,664 2,564 Not-finer-than-46's 1,750 1,779 1,282 2,636 Total since January 1 33,151 40,163 46,109 51,548 Wool top imports 402 429 506 520 Total since January 1 1,304 1,733 2,239 2,711 Mohair imports, clean 2 2 0 0 Total since January 1 5 7 9 11 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- NA = Not available. COTTON SYSTEM FIBER CONSUMPTION ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1996 1995 --------------------------- Item May Jun Jul Jul ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Cotton: 1,000 480-lb. bales All consumed by mills 1/ 981 862 863 743 Total since August 1 1/ 8,874 9,736 10,600 11,198 SA annual rate 2/ 10,780 11,147 10,891 10,183 SA daily rate 2/ 41.1 42.5 41.6 39.0 Daily rate 42.7 43.1 37.5 35.4 Upland consumed by mills 1/ 965 846 828 737 Total since August 1 1/ 8,765 9,611 10,440 11,096 SA annual rate 2/ 10,600 10,938 10,508 10,099 SA daily rate 2/ 40.5 41.7 40.1 38.7 Daily rate 42.0 42.3 36.0 35.1 Spindles in place 6,237 6,272 6,248 6,965 Active spindles 5,702 5,737 5,697 6,496 100 percent cotton 2,634 2,674 2,677 2,770 100 percent manmade 980 1,033 986 1,127 Blends 2,088 2,030 2,034 2,599 Percent Cotton's share of fibers 77.8 77.4 77.2 77.1 Manmade: 1,000 pounds Total consumed by mills 1/ 134,498 120,932 122,053 105,834 Total since August 1 1/ 1,188,436 1,309,367 1,431,420 1,610,585 Daily rate 5,848 6,047 5,307 5,040 Noncellulosic staple 5,015 5,161 4,666 4,360 Cellulosic staple 833 886 641 680 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Adjusted to calendar month. 2/ SA = seasonally adjusted. FIBER EXPORTS ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1996 1995 -------------------------- Item Apr May Jun Jun ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Cotton: 1,000 480-lb. bales Upland exports 552 329 252 264 Total since August 1 6,633 6,962 7,214 8,707 Sales for next season 36 48 165 190 Total since August 1 413 461 626 3,589 ELS exports 24.5 13.2 11.7 36.3 Total since August 1 253.5 266.6 278.3 394.2 Sales for next season 12.1 10.5 8.8 4.5 Total since August 1 151.7 162.2 171.0 160.8 Manmade: Million pounds Raw fiber exports 88.7 93.0 88.7 73.5 Noncellulosic 83.0 84.5 82.1 66.5 Cellulosic 5.7 8.5 6.6 7.0 Total since January 1 358.1 451.1 539.8 488.2 Wool and Mohair: 1,000 pounds Raw wool exports, clean 404.9 506.9 494.4 1,170.4 Total since January 1 1,365.2 1,872.1 2,366.5 4,080.8 Wool top exports 659.6 739.9 643.1 864.8 Total since January 1 3,471.7 4,211.6 4,854.7 4,693.0 Mohair exports, clean 214.2 129.9 494.3 97.6 Total since January 1 1,981.7 2,111.6 2,605.9 2,402.0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- FIBER PRICES ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1996 1995 ----------------------------- Item Jun Jul Aug Aug ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Domestic cotton prices: Cents per pound Adjusted World Price 68.55 64.39 61.64 70.62 Oct'96 futures 76.58 72.67 73.17 74.84 Dec'96 futures 76.43 73.35 73.78 73.37 Upland spot 41-34 80.23 76.84 76.15 85.90 Pima spot 03-46 140.00 133.74 118.55 136.50 Avg. price received by: Upland producers 78.60 76.20 74.30 72.60 Mill delivered: Cotton Actual 85.99 82.18 82.61 89.71 Raw fiber equivalent 95.54 91.31 91.79 99.68 Rayon staple Actual 115.00 115.00 115.00 125.00 Raw fiber equivalent 119.79 119.79 119.79 130.21 Polyester staple Actual 78.00 78.00 78.00 92.00 Raw fiber equivalent 81.25 81.25 81.25 95.83 Price ratios Percent Cotton/rayon 79.8 76.2 76.6 76.6 Cotton/polyester 117.6 112.4 113.0 104.0 Northern Europe cotton quotes: Cents per pound A Index 82.80 79.68 76.29 85.44 Memphis Territory 93.25 NQ 82.80 86.90 California/Arizona 93.25 83.50 83.55 91.90 B Index 77.25 74.04 74.38 82.12 Orleans/Texas 85.75 81.19 79.60 83.05 Wool prices (clean): Dollars per pound U.S. 56's 1.35 1.30 1.30 1.73 Australian 56's 1/ 1.81 1.82 1.84 2.33 U.S. 60's 1.55 1.55 1.55 2.00 Australian 60's 1/ 1.99 1.94 1.95 2.52 U.S. 64's 1.92 1.92 1.92 2.50 Australian 64's 1/ 2.45 2.36 2.34 2.84 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- NQ = No quotes. 1/ In bond, Charleston, SC. 1996 ACREAGE, YIELD, AND PRODUCTION ESTIMATES ------------------------------------------------------------------- State/ Harvested Area Yield Production Region Aug Sep Aug Sep Aug Sep ------------------------------------------------------------------- Lbs./ 1,000 1,000 acres harvested acre bales Upland: Alabama 556 556 600 639 695 740 Florida 100 100 672 672 140 140 Georgia 1,375 1,375 698 698 2,000 2,000 N. Carolina 735 735 679 679 1,040 1,040 S. Carolina 265 265 743 743 410 410 Virginia 102 102 706 706 150 150 Southeast 3,133 3,133 679 686 4,435 4,480 Arkansas 990 990 824 742 1,700 1,530 Louisiana 940 940 733 705 1,500 1,380 Mississippi 1,030 1,030 792 764 1,700 1,640 Missouri 405 405 640 699 540 590 Tennessee 520 520 600 600 650 650 Delta 3,885 3,885 752 715 6,090 5,790 Kansas 2 2 311 311 1 1 Oklahoma 240 240 340 340 170 170 Texas 4,100 4,100 427 427 3,650 3,650 Southwest 4,342 4,342 422 422 3,821 3,821 Arizona 324 324 1,230 1,200 830 810 California 995 995 1,327 1,134 2,750 2,350 New Mexico 54 54 667 667 75 75 West 1,373 1,373 1,278 1,131 3,655 3,235 Total Upland 12,733 12,733 679 653 18,001 17,326 Pima: Arizona 40 40 842 818 70 68 California 165 165 1,207 1,207 415 415 New Mexico 17 17 678 678 24 24 Texas 40 40 804 804 67 67 Total Pima 262 262 1,056 1,052 576 574 Total All 12,995 12,995 686 661 18,577 17,900 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Based on the September Crop Production report. TEXTILE TRADE ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1996 1995 ----------------------------- Item Apr May Jun Jun ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Imports: 1,000 pounds 1/ Yarn, thread, and fabric 171,897 173,257 166,610 179,202 Cotton 70,895 72,479 68,048 80,601 Linen 26,278 22,557 17,213 26,440 Wool 3,740 3,804 3,373 3,964 Silk 680 709 627 693 Manmade 70,303 73,709 77,348 67,503 Apparel 333,652 380,229 419,056 468,694 Cotton 197,358 225,891 245,609 270,887 Linen 6,798 8,845 10,639 14,375 Wool 11,582 13,788 17,665 19,444 Silk 9,232 8,679 8,262 8,509 Manmade 108,682 123,027 136,882 155,479 House furnishings 26,803 27,740 30,866 32,854 Cotton 19,798 20,585 22,189 23,925 Linen 106 152 129 370 Wool 67 88 92 269 Silk 37 8 8 32 Manmade 6,794 6,907 8,447 8,258 Floor covering 21,979 21,444 21,886 22,217 Cotton 4,449 2,888 3,800 3,643 Linen 2,410 2,406 2,578 2,607 Wool 5,911 6,253 5,907 7,182 Silk 236 266 263 346 Manmade 8,972 9,630 9,338 8,440 Total imports 2/ 559,613 609,833 645,318 710,249 Cotton 295,252 325,790 343,239 382,384 Linen 35,616 34,002 30,578 43,766 Wool 21,395 24,072 27,252 31,374 Silk 10,190 9,663 9,160 9,581 Manmade 197,159 216,305 235,089 243,144 Exports: 1,000 pounds 1/ Yarn, thread, and fabric 121,258 126,650 127,071 125,315 Cotton 45,911 45,324 45,511 43,933 Linen 3,372 3,482 3,258 3,550 Wool 3,445 3,687 3,846 3,559 Silk 1,230 1,455 1,373 1,466 Manmade 67,300 72,703 73,082 72,808 Apparel 124,238 137,203 123,235 119,426 Cotton 76,011 84,450 75,445 72,293 Linen 2,056 2,303 2,395 1,830 Wool 4,445 6,788 5,323 5,435 Silk 1,794 2,387 1,880 1,735 Manmade 38,932 41,275 38,192 38,133 House furnishings 5,851 5,869 5,926 5,224 Cotton 3,484 3,499 3,619 3,139 Linen 180 275 271 234 Wool 68 102 48 73 Silk 87 160 70 159 Manmade 2,031 1,832 1,918 1,620 Floor covering 29,929 29,986 28,898 25,789 Cotton 2,805 3,347 3,377 2,356 Linen 1,256 1,242 1,195 1,102 Wool 1,512 1,504 1,449 1,214 Silk 3/ --- --- --- --- Manmade 24,356 23,892 22,876 21,117 Total exports 2/ 281,585 299,971 285,488 276,034 Cotton 128,269 136,669 128,012 121,772 Linen 6,877 7,312 7,132 6,725 Wool 10,492 12,103 10,694 10,310 Silk 3,111 4,001 3,323 3,360 Manmade 132,835 139,886 136,327 133,867 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Raw fiber equivalent. Data for 1996 have been revised. 2/ Includes headgear. 3/ Absence of trade. U.S. COTTON TEXTILE IMPORTS ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1996 1995 ---------------------------- Country Apr May Jun Jun ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1,000 pounds 1/ North America 99,147 114,936 113,216 107,224 Canada 8,787 8,819 9,195 8,029 Costa Rica 6,421 7,851 7,345 8,395 Dominican Republic 11,382 13,504 11,837 13,945 El Salvador 6,630 6,895 7,953 7,709 Guatemala 5,477 6,519 6,861 7,106 Haiti 744 988 1,011 728 Honduras 11,960 15,406 15,200 10,437 Jamaica 6,296 7,190 5,625 8,236 Mexico 38,876 44,714 45,589 40,573 Nicaragua 1,949 2,338 2,060 853 South America 9,637 8,773 7,635 10,864 Argentina 123 64 45 61 Brazil 4,233 3,827 2,949 5,331 Chile 550 680 276 446 Columbia 2,354 2,369 2,200 2,735 Peru 1,705 1,565 1,669 1,667 Venezuela 27 35 8 340 Europe 20,420 19,815 22,711 26,745 Estonia 1,014 873 1,160 1,081 France 549 404 606 505 Germany 391 397 413 512 Italy 2,657 2,665 2,349 2,607 Portugal 1,985 2,625 3,385 3,845 Russia 965 1,160 1,245 913 Spain 1,196 815 1,556 2,148 Turkey 8,492 7,042 8,368 10,647 United Kingdom 670 885 851 756 Asia 153,323 170,943 186,419 218,377 Bahrain 498 639 1,056 1,328 Bangladesh 5,464 9,475 9,246 14,028 China 17,522 25,188 29,851 41,691 Hong Kong 19,872 25,308 27,051 35,070 India 26,551 22,458 24,416 23,156 Indonesia 8,081 10,414 9,766 12,212 Israel 2,311 1,765 2,043 2,550 Japan 1,222 1,253 1,548 1,755 Macao 2,634 3,768 4,152 4,991 Malaysia 3,466 4,473 4,158 5,455 Nepal 1,197 1,265 1,223 719 Oman 1,171 1,395 1,524 1,808 Pakistan 18,693 21,227 19,839 17,622 Philippines 7,885 8,038 9,664 11,400 Quatar 608 623 1,161 1,280 Singapore 1,754 1,560 2,100 2,749 South Korea 5,448 5,803 6,844 7,295 Sri Lanka 6,219 5,077 6,308 6,845 Taiwan 11,141 11,152 11,626 11,850 Thailand 6,248 5,899 6,993 9,170 U Arab Em 2,904 2,056 3,338 2,947 Oceania 1,673 1,164 1,615 2,443 Australia 979 642 531 1,383 Fiji 489 386 827 690 Africa 9,395 8,770 13,788 14,254 Egypt 4,929 3,623 4,027 6,192 Lesotho 775 1,082 1,144 1,177 Mauritius 1,247 1,183 1,568 2,111 Morocco 408 619 952 1,038 South Africa 747 843 930 1,100 Tunisia 216 119 237 897 World 2/ 295,252 325,790 343,239 382,384 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Raw fiber equivalent. 2/ Totals may not add due to rounding. U.S. COTTON TEXTILE EXPORTS ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1996 1995 --------------------------- Country Apr May Jun Jun ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1,000 pounds 1/ North America 91,809 101,885 95,846 88,411 Canada 17,555 18,790 19,685 18,208 Costa Rica 5,222 8,426 9,728 6,327 Dominican Republic 11,102 12,080 10,032 10,963 El Salvador 3,227 3,420 2,719 3,953 Guatemala 3,390 3,594 3,400 3,295 Haiti 687 1,114 987 558 Honduras 9,834 11,459 11,700 6,743 Jamaica 11,335 9,314 6,409 8,790 Mexico 28,408 32,503 30,091 28,396 South America 3,659 5,261 4,520 5,435 Argentina 193 763 248 211 Brazil 385 372 342 1,177 Chile 633 524 556 854 Columbia 1,659 2,786 2,320 1,810 Peru 155 177 123 327 Venezuela 242 297 531 529 Europe 14,722 13,130 12,575 11,363 Belgium 4,135 4,073 4,242 3,280 France 589 544 497 744 Germany 1,224 1,325 1,478 1,188 Ireland 2,553 613 768 576 Italy 720 663 246 635 Netherlands 876 1,001 738 526 United Kingdom 2,979 2,923 2,843 2,459 Asia 16,030 14,153 12,896 14,394 China 217 308 384 275 Hong Kong 1,329 1,197 1,092 1,318 Israel 1,040 850 1,054 1,508 Japan 8,799 6,877 5,700 6,349 Philippines 410 701 540 528 Saudi Arabia 608 771 459 1,241 Singapore 515 596 480 463 South Korea 763 818 569 1,057 Taiwan 372 304 330 328 U Arab Em 642 430 764 207 Oceania 1,122 1,182 1,144 936 Australia 706 734 657 635 New Zealand 313 275 279 235 Africa 780 892 550 991 Egypt 50 40 165 84 Ghana 22 33 110 45 Ivory Coast 53 181 60 73 Nigeria 102 62 8 232 South Africa 281 359 266 195 World 2/ 128,269 136,669 128,012 121,772 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Raw fiber equivalent. 2/ Totals may not add due to rounding. END-OF-FILE