COTTON AND WOOL OUTLOOK                                        July 15, 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-0696.  
 
Smaller 1996 Acreage, Production and Stocks To Rise
 
According to USDA's June Acreage report, U.S. producers have planted or
intended to plant 14.36 million acres of cotton this season.  The revised area
is nearly 900,000 acres (6 percent) below March intentions and 2.5 million (15
percent) below 1995/96 plantings.  This season's decrease in cotton area is
attributable to the flexibility provisions of the new farm legislation and the
relatively strong grain and soybean prices that attracted acreage away from
cotton.  Weather-related problems in Texas also contributed to the decline.
 
Although total cotton acreage is lower, extra-long staple (ELS) area rose 23
percent above 1995 to 264,000 acres as extremely low ELS stocks and high
prices provided the incentive for increased area.  Upland area fell nearly 16
percent to 14.1 million acres.  With regional cotton acreage expected below
1995, varying degrees of decline are indicated.  Based on the Acreage report,
reductions of 8 to 19 percent are projected.  The Southeast is expected to
show the smallest percentage decline while the Delta is projected to have the
largest.  In the West, a 10-percent reduction is indicated.  In the Southwest,
on the other hand, area is projected to fall 17 percent (1.2 million acres)
below 1995.
 
Overall crop conditions remained relatively stable through early July and
similar to last year.  Fifty-six percent of the crop was rated in "good" or
"excellent" condition, compared with 59 percent a year ago.  However, more of
the acreage this season (15 percent versus 8 percent) is rated "poor" or "very
poor," with drought conditions in Texas responsible for the majority of the
area in these categories.  Beneficial rains in the Southwest during the past
month provided some relief, while the other regions have experienced more
favorable growing conditions all season. For the week ending July 7, 79
percent of the U.S. cotton crop was squaring, compared with the 5-year average
of 69 percent.  In addition, 26 percent of the crop was setting bolls, 6
percentage points above the average.
 
Although planted acreage was smaller than earlier indicated, the U.S. cotton
production estimate was left unchanged at 19 million bales as favorable
conditions across much of the cotton belt are expected to push yields well
above average.  The July projection placed the national average yield at 665
pounds per harvested acre, compared with a 5-year average of 641 pounds.  On
August 12, the National Agricultural Statistics Service will provide initial
survey estimates of cotton harvested area, yield, and production, as well as
an update on planted area.
 
While the production projection was unchanged, imports were raised 100,000
bales to 400,000.  With a similar decrease in carryin stocks, total cotton
supply during the 1996/97 season is expected to reach 22 million bales, 5.5
percent above the previous year.  Despite the rise in available supplies,
total demand is projected to fall 4 percent to 17.6 million bales.  While
domestic mill use is expected to rebound to 11 million bales in 1996/97, U.S.
exports are projected to weaken to 6.6 million as foreign competition
strengthens.  With the outlook for U.S. production to exceed use in 1996/97,
ending stocks are projected to rise 1.8 million bales to 4.4 million, leaving
a stocks-to-use ratio of 25 percent.  If realized, this carryover and ratio
would be the highest in 4 years.
 
Foreign Production and Imports Down in 1996/97
 
Lower world prices during 1995/96 are expected to drive foreign production
down 2.7 million bales in 1996/97, to 70 million bales, as smaller crops in
China and India offset gains in Australia, Egypt, Brazil, and Spain.  Foreign
consumption is expected to rise 1.3 million bales, to 76 million,  as
increases in India, Brazil, Mexico, Turkey, and Egypt more than offset smaller
use in Japan, Korea, and Taiwan.  Lower foreign imports are expected largely
because of a 1.4-million-bale decline by China.  Foreign exports are expected
to rise, particularly from Argentina and Australia.  Net foreign imports are
expected to decline by 900,000 bales in 1996/97.  U.S. exports are expected to
fall by an even larger amount, down 1.2 million bales to 6.6 million.  With
world trade forecast at 27 million bales in 1996/97, the U.S. share of world
trade is expected to fall substantially, to 24.5 percent versus a 30.5 percent
average for 1994/95-1995/96.
 
Foreign Area Volatile During the 1990's
 
During the last 4 years, foreign cotton area has alternately fallen 13 percent
over a 2-year period, and then risen 13 percent over a 2-year period,
corresponding to real prices that alternately plunged by more than one-third
and then rose by more than one-third.  During 1995/96, the A Index fell about
10 percent in inflation-adjusted terms, and foreign area is expected to turn
downward in 1996/97, with a 900,000-hectare decline currently forecast. 
However, foreign area is declining far less than U.S. area, only 3.2 percent
compared with 15.2 percent for the United States.
 
In 1996/97, Paraguay and Mali are the most important producers with expected
area declines comparable to the United States--13 percent and 11 percent,
respectively.  By comparison, China and India are expected to lose 8 percent
of area; Turkey and Argentina, 4 percent; and Greece, 2 percent.  Area in the
former Soviet Union is expected to fall only 1 percent, and no change is
expected in Pakistan.
 
Some foreign producers are expected to plant more cotton in 1996/97. 
Australia and Spain have seen a vast improvement in their water supplies,
permitting expanded plantings after years of drought.  Uganda, Egypt, and
Sudan have been reforming economic policies affecting cotton in recent years,
nurturing a renaissance in their long-suffering cotton producing sectors. 
Similarly, Chad and Cote d'Ivoire continue to maintain favorable prices for
farm inputs while a massive currency devaluation from a few years ago
continues to support increased cotton area.   Mexico's area is forecast at
more than double its 1993/94 level, due to agricultural policy changes and the
peso's sudden devaluation.
 
Generally, the annual variability of area in the United States is much greater
than the variability of total foreign cotton area.  But in recent years
foreign plantings have grown increasingly volatile while the variability of
U.S. cotton area has been relatively constant.  Massive shifts in the
availability of cotton in the former Soviet Union and China have forced the
remaining foreign producers' area to gyrate down to a 39-year low in 1993/94
and then up to a record high in 1995/96.
 
Foreign yields are expected to be about unchanged overall in 1996/97.  Lower
yields are expected in China, India, Greece, Turkey, and Uzbekistan in part
due to the assumption of more normal weather in 1996/97.  On the other hand,
South America is expected to see substantially higher yields in 1996/97, again
assuming more normal weather.  Increased irrigation supplies are expected to
drive Australia's yields higher.  However, virtually no other country is
expected to surpass the United States' expected 24-percent rebound in yields. 
Although Brazil and Paraguay experienced yield losses comparable to the United
States in 1995/96, substantially smaller rebounds are foreseen in each case in
1996/97.
 
Consumption Continues Growing
 
Foreign consumption grew in 1995/96 for the first time since 1989, and another
gain of under 2 percent is expected in 1996/97.  Foreign consumption of cotton
steadily declined between 1989/90 and 1994/95, largely due to the former
Soviet Union (FSU).   FSU consumption fell 6.3 million bales during this time,
while the remaining foreign countries increased consumption by 1.8 million
bales.  China's consumption stagnated during this period, going from 20.3
million bales in 1989/90 to 20.2 million in 1994/95.
 
Both China and the FSU increased their cotton consumption in 1995/96, and
further gains are expected in 1996/97.  Gains are also expected in the rest of
the world, which has steadily consumed more cotton virtually every year since
1981.  Japan's consumption is expected to continue falling, as is Korea's,
and--barely--the European Union's.  Eastern Europe, Indonesia, and Bangladesh,
are expected to consume more cotton, and larger gains are likely in India,
Brazil, Mexico, and Turkey.
 
The volume of world trade is expected to fall in 1996/97, largely because of
reduced imports by China, the world's largest importer during the last 2
years.  China's ending stocks have rebounded strongly during the last 2 years
through huge imports, rising production, stagnant consumption, and falling
exports.  Forecasting China's imports have always been difficult, but imports
fell about 1 million bales in 1995/96 following a 2.7-million-bale jump in
production the year before.  Because China's cotton crop rose another 2
million bales to its third largest ever in 1995/96, another reduction in
imports seems plausible.  At 1.6 million bales, China is forecast to be the
third largest importer in the world, following Indonesia and Brazil.  Lower
imports are also foreseen for Japan and Taiwan, where cotton consumption is
declining.  Larger imports are foreseen by Turkey and Russia.
 
Foreign ending stocks are expected to fall slightly (350,000 bales) in 1996/97
because of a 1-million-bale drop forecast for India and a 400,000-bale decline
for China.  Excluding India and China, foreign ending stocks are expected to
rise 1.1 million bales.  Australia's expected 440,000-bale increase is the
largest as a rebounding crop permits stocks to rise from the reduced levels
reached during the drought that has plagued Australia for much of the 1990's.
 
U.S. Mill Use Stable
 
Cotton mill consumption remained strong in May according to the latest report
from the U.S. Commerce Department.  U.S. mill use averaged a seasonally
adjusted 40,900 480-pound bales per day in May, compared with 40,800 bales in
April.  During May, the actual daily rate totaled 42,500 bales, compared with
43,700 bales per day a year earlier.  On a seasonally adjusted annual rate
(SAAR) basis, May consumption remained near 10.7 million bales, compared with
11 million for May 1995.  So far this season, the SAAR has averaged 10.5
million bales.
 
Cotton mill consumption for the first 10 months of 1995/96 approached 8.9
million bales, compared with 9.5 million for the corresponding period a year
ago.  With mill use expected to continue near its current level, total cotton
consumption for 1995/96 should reach the current 10.5-million-bale estimate.
 
U.S. Raw Cotton Imports Expand
 
With the recent high U.S. cotton prices and foreign supplies available to
import under the "Step 3" quotas, U.S. mills are experimenting with foreign
cotton this season to an extent not seen in 50 years.  For the season through
July 7, U.S. cotton imports have totaled slightly over 200,000 bales.  With
only a few weeks remaining to reach the 1995/96 estimate of 300,000 bales,
imports would have to average roughly 4,000 bales per day, the daily average
of the most recent 4 weeks for which data are available.  The import demand is
also expected to expand further in 1996/97.  U.S. imports are currently
projected to reach 400,000 bales.  If realized, this would be the largest
supply of foreign cotton brought into the United States since 1928/29.
 
Cotton Prices Move Lower
 
U.S. cotton prices continued lower in June.  Spot prices for upland and ELS
cotton declined to 80 cents and $1.40 per pound, respectively.  While the
upland price was 27 cents below June 1995, the ELS price was 7 cents higher,
reflecting the continued tight stock situation for ELS cotton.
 
Mill-delivered upland prices during June fell 4 cents to 86 cents per pound,
the lowest since November 1994.  Likewise, polyester staple and rayon prices
have declined recently.  Polyester prices in June were 78 cents per pound
while rayon prices were $1.15.  Cotton has become more price competitive
recently, which has allowed cotton mill use to remain strong.
 
New-crop cotton prices have also declined in recent weeks.  In June, the
December 1996 futures averaged 76.4 cents per pound, 5.4 cents below May. 
However, during the first part of July, this contract averaged only 73.4 cents
per pound.  In addition, "new crop" A Index prices have tumbled from the high
reached in early May.  As of early July, the A Index averaged near 79 cents
per pound, with the U.S. quotes 3-5 cents above the average.  Nonetheless, the
U.S. quotes have become more competitive recently and perhaps this will
provide the spark for 1996/97 export sales to expand.
 
Textile Imports Rise in April
 
Preliminary April textile trade data indicate imports rose 2 percent from a
month earlier to 543 million (raw-fiber equivalent) pounds.  However, April's
shipments were only slightly higher than a year ago (less than 1 percent). 
Imports of all fibers except linen were above March levels.  Larger floor
covering and yarn, thread, and fabric imports more than offset declines in
apparel and house furnishing shipments.  Cotton textile imports, at 293
million pounds, accounted for 54 percent of all textile shipments, unchanged
from March's share.
 
Total U.S. textile exports declined in April to 282 million pounds, 1 percent
below the previous month but 11 percent above April 1995 shipments.  Only
cotton exports rose while other major fibers fell below month-earlier levels. 
Declines also occurred for all major end uses except apparel.  Apparel
exports, at 124 million pounds, accounted for 44 percent of total April
shipments and were 26 percent above year-ago exports.
 
Overall, the April textile trade deficit was 261 million pounds, with cotton
accounting for 63 percent of the total (164 million pounds).  The April
deficit declined 8 percent from a year earlier when it totaled 285 million
pounds.  In addition, the deficit for the first 4 months of 1996 was 1.2
billion pounds, compared with 1.5 billion a year ago.  Weaker imports of all
major fiber types and stronger cotton and manmade fiber exports have reduced
the trade deficit this year.
 
The next Cotton and Wool Outlook (CWS-0796) will be released on August 13.
 
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
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   1995/96
                                         ----------------------------
Item                          1994/95     May        Jun          Jul
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Upland:                                      Million acres
  Planted                      13.55     16.72      16.72       16.72
    Program                    11.62     11.02      11.02       11.02
  Harvested                    13.16     15.80      15.80       15.80
                                                Pounds
  Yield/harvested acre           705       533        533         533
                                        Million 480-lb. bales
  Beginning stocks              3.30      2.59       2.59        2.59
  Production                   19.32     17.53      17.53       17.53
    Total supply 1/            22.65     20.41      20.42       20.42
  Mill use                     11.10     10.41      10.40       10.40
  Exports                       8.98      7.39       7.40        7.50
    Total use                  20.07     17.79      17.80       17.90
  Ending stocks                 2.59      2.67       2.67        2.57
                                               Percent
  Stocks-to-use ratio           12.9      15.0       15.0        14.4
  
Extra-long staple:                           1,000 acres
  Planted                        169       215        215         215
    Program                       84        26         26          26
  Harvested                      166       211        211         211
                                            Pounds
  Yield/harvested acre           974       836        836         836
                                         1,000 480-lb. bales
  Beginning stocks               227        59         59          59
  Production                     338       368        368         368
    Total supply 1/              567       437        432         432
  Mill use                       102        95        105         105
  Exports                        424       315        300         300
    Total use                    526       410        405         405
  Ending stocks                   59        27         27          27
                                               Percent
  Stocks-to-use ratio           11.2       6.6        6.7         6.7
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Based on USDA estimates.  1/ Includes imports.
 
WORLD COTTON SUPPLY AND USE ESTIMATES
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   1995/96
                                        ------------------------------
Item                          1994/95     May        Jun          Jul
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Supply:                                 Million 480-lb. bales
Beginning stocks
  World                        26.28     28.91      28.77       29.29
  Foreign                      22.75     26.26      26.12       26.64
Production
  World                        85.53     88.41      89.98       90.62
  Foreign                      65.87     70.51      72.08       72.72
Imports
  World                        30.84     28.59      28.42       26.96
  Foreign                      30.82     28.29      28.12       26.66
Use:
Mill use
  World                        84.69     85.62      85.50       85.20
  Foreign                      73.49     75.12      75.00       74.70
Exports
  World                        28.48     28.39      28.18       27.74
  Foreign                      19.07     20.69      20.48       19.94
Ending stocks
  World                        29.29     31.73      33.34       33.78
  Foreign                      26.64     28.03      30.64       31.18
 
Stocks-to-use ratio                            Percent
  World                         34.6      37.1       39.0        39.6
  Foreign                       36.2      38.6       40.9        41.7
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Based on USDA estimates.
 
FIBER SUPPLY
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          1996                   1995
                               --------------------------
Item                             Mar       Apr       May          May
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Cotton:                                  1,000 480-lb. bales
  Ginnings                         0         0         0            0
Imports since August 1          28.3      41.8        NA         12.4
  Stocks, beginning            8,962     7,297     5,814        6,658
    At mills                     650       641       662          794
    Public storage             6,916     5,575     4,519        4,883
    CCC stocks                 1,899     1,501     1,103          862
 
Manmade:                                   Million pounds
  Production                   804.4     795.6      824.5       864.9
    Noncellulosic              762.5     755.5      782.5       823.2
    Cellulosic                  41.9      40.1       42.0        41.7
    Total since January 1    2,363.3   3,158.9    3,983.4     4,104.5
 
                                          1996                   1995
                               ---------------------------
                                Feb        Mar        Apr         Apr
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Million pounds
  Raw fiber imports             80.5      92.3       90.7        88.6
    Noncellulosic               75.3      85.5       85.8        81.8
    Cellulosic                   5.2       6.8        4.9         6.8
    Total since January 1      163.7     256.0      346.7       376.1
 
Wool and Mohair:                            1,000 pounds
  Raw wool imports, clean      9,114     8,728      5,534       5,962
    48's-and-finer             5,891     6,162      3,824       4,327
    Not-finer-than-46's        3,223     2,566      1,710       1,635
    Total since January 1     18,737    27,465     32,999      34,897
 
  Wool top imports               170       103        402         330
    Total since January 1        799       902      1,304       1,886
  Mohair imports, clean            1         0          2           0
    Total since January 1          3         3          5          10
----------------------------------------------------------------------
NA = Not available.
 
COTTON SYSTEM FIBER CONSUMPTION
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          1996                   1995
                              ---------------------------
Item                             Mar       Apr        May         May
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Cotton:                                  1,000 480-lb. bales
All consumed by mills 1/         902       921        978       1,006
  Total since August 1 1/      6,971     7,892      8,871       9,546
  SA annual rate 2/           10,739    10,699     10,721      11,010
  SA daily rate 2/              41.0      40.8       40.9        42.2
  Daily rate                    42.9      41.9       42.5        43.7
 
Upland consumed by mills 1/      890       905        962         996
  Total since August 1 1/      6,895     7,800      8,762       9,461
  SA annual rate 2/           10,595    10,502     10,540      10,900
  SA daily rate 2/              40.4      40.1       40.2        41.8
  Daily rate                    42.4      41.1       41.8        43.3
 
Spindles in place              6,417     6,344      6,292       7,157
  Active spindles              5,947     5,777      5,756       6,690
    100 percent cotton         2,677     2,645      2,662       2,922
    100 percent manmade        1,039     1,016      1,009       1,121
    Blends                     2,231     2,116      2,085       2,647
                                             Percent
Cotton's share of fibers        78.0      78.6       77.7        76.5
 
Manmade:                                    1,000 pounds
Total consumed by mills 1/   121,817   120,670    134,545     148,517
  Total since August 1 1/    933,268 1,053,938  1,188,483   1,368,193
  Daily rate                   5,801     5,485      5,850       6,457
    Noncellulosic staple       4,876     4,676      5,019       5,635
    Cellulosic staple            925       809        831         822
----------------------------------------------------------------------
1/ Adjusted to calendar month.  2/ SA = seasonally adjusted.
 
FIBER EXPORTS
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         1996                     1995
                               --------------------------
Item                             Feb       Mar        Apr          Apr
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Cotton:                                  1,000 480-lb. bales
  Upland exports               1,257       739        552       1,048
    Total since August 1       5,342     6,081      6,633       7,694
  Sales for next season           28        96         36         116
    Total since August 1         281       377        413       3,220
 
  ELS exports                   37.9      38.7       24.5        56.5
    Total since August 1       190.3     229.0      253.5       312.2
  Sales for next season         18.4      25.7       12.1        14.1
    Total since August 1       113.9     139.7      151.7       147.9
 
Manmade:                                   Million pounds
  Raw fiber exports             96.7      97.5       88.7        90.6
    Noncellulosic               92.8      91.5       83.0        83.1
    Cellulosic                   3.9       6.0        5.7         7.5
    Total since January 1      171.9     269.4      358.1       338.0
 
Wool and Mohair:                           1,000 pounds
  Raw wool exports, clean      183.4     440.5      440.9       241.0
   Total since January 1       519.9     960.3    1,365.3       571.2
  Wool top exports           1,147.9     842.0      659.6     1,009.1
    Total since January 1    1,970.1   2,812.1    3,471.6     3,716.6
 
  Mohair exports, clean        206.8     323.9      214.2       313.7
    Total since January 1    1,443.6   1,767.5    1,981.7     2,087.5
----------------------------------------------------------------------
 
FIBER PRICES
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          1996                   1995
                              -----------------------------
Item                            Apr       May        Jun         Jun
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Domestic cotton prices:                    Cents per pound
  Adjusted World Price         68.53     69.87      68.55       76.22
  Oct'96 futures               83.06     82.53      76.58       78.18
  Dec'96 futures               81.19     81.86      76.43       75.37
  Upland spot 41-34            84.69     83.22      80.23      106.96
  Pima spot 03-46             163.46    154.35     140.00      132.73
  Avg. price received by:
    Upland producers           79.60     78.10      79.00       79.30
 
  Mill delivered:
    Cotton
      Actual                   92.10     90.20      85.99      117.65
      Raw fiber equivalent    102.33    100.22      95.54      130.72
    Rayon staple
      Actual                  120.00    115.00     115.00      119.00
      Raw fiber equivalent    125.00    119.79     119.79      123.96
    Polyester staple
      Actual                   84.00     80.00      78.00       92.00
      Raw fiber equivalent     87.50     83.33      81.25       95.83
 
    Price ratios                               Percent
      Cotton/rayon              81.9      83.7       79.8       105.5
      Cotton/polyester         117.0     120.3      117.6       136.4
 
Northern Europe cotton quotes:            Cents per pound
  A Index                      82.90     83.23      82.80          NA
  Memphis Territory            96.69     95.60      93.25      129.00
  California/Arizona          100.13     98.50      93.25          NA
  B Index                      77.53     77.71      77.25      101.53
  Orleans/Texas                91.06     89.00      85.75      121.00
 
Wool prices (clean):                      Dollars per pound
 U.S. 56's                      1.35      1.35       1.35        1.77
  Australian 56's 1/            1.83      1.84       1.81        2.50
 U.S. 60's                      1.57      1.56       1.55        2.12
  Australian 60's 1/            1.97      1.95       1.99        2.73
 U.S. 64's                      1.97      1.95       1.92        2.85
  Australian 64's 1/            2.34      2.42       2.45        3.08
----------------------------------------------------------------------
NA = Not available.
1/ In bond, Charleston, SC.
 
TEXTILE TRADE
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         1996                    1995
                            -----------------------------
Item                            Feb       Mar         Apr         Apr
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Imports:                                   1,000 pounds 1/
 
  Yarn, thread, and fabric   139,967   146,106    160,564     169,789
    Cotton                    61,012    57,646     68,976      72,595
    Linen                     22,606    26,665     26,278      27,596
    Wool                       3,000     3,372      3,740       3,990
    Silk                         556       644        680         599
    Manmade                   52,792    57,779     60,890      65,009
 
  Apparel                    372,675   339,157    332,639     311,642
    Cotton                   221,484   203,188    196,649     183,812
    Linen                      9,925     7,562      6,782       8,091
    Wool                      11,058    10,236     11,581       9,046
    Silk                       9,888     8,795      9,232       8,560
    Manmade                  120,320   109,376    108,395     102,133
 
  House furnishings           27,596    28,427     26,803      26,552
    Cotton                    20,749    20,966     19,798      19,381
    Linen                        178       135        106         177
    Wool                          99        86         67         103
    Silk                          29        28         37          16
    Manmade                    6,541     7,213      6,794       6,875
 
  Floor covering              15,041    14,602     17,679      24,705
    Cotton                     3,518     3,184      4,441       4,015
    Linen                      2,228     2,136      2,267       3,029
    Wool                       3,791     3,172      4,398       8,758
    Silk                         335       230        236         326
    Manmade                    5,169     5,880      6,336       8,578
 
  Total imports 2/           562,291   533,687    542,967     538,774
    Cotton                   310,967   287,881    292,616     282,622
    Linen                     34,957    36,534     35,457      38,991
    Wool                      17,983    16,915     19,882      22,115
    Silk                      10,812     9,701     10,190       9,501
    Manmade                  187,571   182,656    184,822     185,545
 
Exports:                                  1,000 pounds 1/
 
  Yarn, thread, and fabric   116,595   123,971    121,258     122,366
    Cotton                    41,978    45,675     45,911      41,364
    Linen                      3,321     3,166      3,372       3,116
    Wool                       2,777     3,169      3,445       3,527
    Silk                       1,314     1,319      1,230       1,531
    Manmade                   67,205    70,642     67,300      72,828
 
  Apparel                    104,565   123,585    124,238      98,562
    Cotton                    62,252    72,932     76,011      59,893
    Linen                      2,117     2,618      2,056       2,094
    Wool                       4,597     6,168      5,445       4,351
    Silk                       1,757     2,014      1,794       1,900
    Manmade                   33,842    39,852     38,932      30,324
 
  House furnishings            5,327     6,140      5,851       5,027
    Cotton                     3,172     3,965      3,484       2,900
    Linen                        270       257        180         241
    Wool                         105        56         68          90
    Silk                         151        59         87         159
    Manmade                    1,629     1,802      2,031       1,636
 
  Floor covering              25,649    30,657     29,929      27,403
    Cotton                     2,754     3,138      2,805       3,363
    Linen                      1,072     1,273      1,256       1,140
    Wool                       1,793     1,727      1,512       1,462
    Silk 3/                      ---       ---        ---         ---
    Manmade                   20,030    24,519     24,356      21,438
 
  Total exports 2/           252,615   284,847    281,585     253,688
    Cotton                   110,214   125,791    128,269     107,566
    Linen                      6,793     7,331      6,877       6,601
    Wool                       9,296    11,156     10,492       9,455
    Silk                       3,222     3,392      3,111       3,590
    Manmade                  123,090   137,178    132,835     126,476
----------------------------------------------------------------------
1/ Raw fiber equivalent.  1996 data are subject to revision.
2/ Includes headgear.  3/ Absence of trade.
 
ACTUAL AND PROJECTED COTTON ACREAGE
-------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Projected    Projected
State/          Actual       March        June
Region           1995       1996 1/       1996 2/     1996/1995
-------------------------------------------------------------------
                          1,000 acres                    Percent
 
Upland:
  Alabama         590          580           560             95
  Florida         110          120           120            109
  Georgia       1,500        1,380         1,380             92
  N. Carolina     805          780           750             93
  S. Carolina     348          310           270             78
  Virginia        107          115           105             98
    Southeast   3,460        3,285         3,185             92
 
  Arkansas      1,170        1,100         1,000             85
  Louisiana     1,085          970           950             88
  Mississippi   1,460        1,200         1,050             72
  Missouri        462          460           410             89
  Tennessee       700          630           530             76
    Delta       4,877        4,360         3,940             81
 
  Kansas            4            2             2             39
  Oklahoma        380          350           290             76
  Texas         6,400        5,500         5,300             83
    Southwest   6,784        5,852         5,592             82
 
  Arizona         365          325           325             89
  California    1,170        1,100         1,000             85
  New Mexico       61           60            58             95
    West        1,596        1,485         1,383             87
 
Total Upland   16,717       14,982        14,100             84
 
Pima:
  Arizona          49           40            40             82
  California      115          165           165            143
  New Mexico       15           18            17            113
  Texas            36           42            42            117
 
Total Pima        215          265           264            123
 
Total All      16,931       15,247        14,364             85
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1/ Planting intentions as indicated by reports from farmers.
2/ Total acres planted or intended to be planted.
 
                               end end end