COTTON AND WOOL OUTLOOK                                      December 12, 1997
December 1997, Issue number CWS-1197
            Approved by the World Agricultural Outlook Board
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COTTON AND WOOL OUTLOOK is issued monthly by the Economic Research Service,
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC  20036-5831.  This report and
the others in this series (FEED OUTLOOK, OIL CROPS OUTLOOK, RICE OUTLOOK, and
WHEAT OUTLOOK) are only available electronically; there is no published version
of these reports.  For further information on our products and services, please
call the ERS Information Center at (202) 694-5050.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------


U.S. Cotton Crop Forecast Unchanged

The 1997 U.S. cotton crop forecast was virtually unchanged from November, at
18.82 million bales, and is the fourth largest crop on record.  Upland
production is projected at 18.29 million bales (14,000 bales below last month's
estimate), while the extra-long staple (ELS) crop is estimated at 533,000 bales
(down 15,000).  The national average cotton yield in December is placed at 672
pounds per harvested acre, the fifth highest yield.  However, Mississippi's
yield of 900 pounds is a record, surpassing 1991's 888 pounds per harvested
acre.  Cotton ginnings totaled nearly 14.75 million bales as of December 1,
compared with 14.62 million ginned by the same date in 1996.

While the U.S. cotton production estimate for December was similar to a month
ago, several offsetting adjustments in the Southwest and the Delta occurred. 
In the Southwest, a 100,000-bale reduction in Texas' upland crop placed the
region's total at 5.6 million bales.  On the other hand, the Delta production
forecast continues to rise, expanding 100,000 bales from November to 5.6
million. Meanwhile, production estimates for the Southeast and West regions
were virtually unchanged in December at 4.0 and 3.6 million bales,
respectively.

Foreign Production and Consumption

The forecast for foreign production in 1997/98 was unchanged in December,
staying at November's estimate of 71.3 million bales.  Foreign consumption was
reduced slightly in December, down 200,000 bales to 78.2 million.  However,
with foreign imports in 1997/98 forecast higher than a month earlier, and
foreign exports forecast lower, the forecast for U.S. cotton exports in 1997/98
was raised 100,000 bales to 7.1 million.

China's 1997/98 production forecast changed the most this month, rising 500,000
bales to 18.5 million.  USDA has steadily raised its forecast for China's
1997/98 cotton crop as the season has progressed, as provincial press reports
and good harvest weather have lent credence to government reports of a crop
much closer to its 1996/97 level than earlier believed.

Production forecasts for a number of export competitors with U.S. cotton were
reduced this month, including  Pakistan (200,000 bales), Egypt (150,000),
Uzbekistan (100,000), Turkmenistan (100,000), Sudan (100,000), and Azerbaijan
(85,000).  Larger crops were forecast for Syria, India, and Mexico. But for
major foreign exporters, losses offset gains in expected 1997/98 production
this month by 750,000 bales, and expected exports by major U.S. competitors in
1997/98 fell about 400,000 bales.

The forecast for foreign imports in 1997/98 was raised 200,000 bales, to 27.1
million, compared with November's forecast.  While the forecasts for South
Korea and Indonesia were trimmed due to continued economic difficulties in the
region, the forecasts for India and Mexico were raised.  The forecast for
imports by China--the largest importer--was unchanged at 2.2 million bales. 
China's production forecast is higher this month, but year-to-year changes in
China's import and consumption policies have a larger immediate impact on
imports than does production.

U.S. Sales Lagging to China, Strong Elsewhere

China's purchases of U.S. cotton to date are quite low, suggesting either
significantly lower U.S. market share for 1997/98 or a delay in purchasing. 
Changes in China's cotton policy this year are likely inducing purchasing
delays, in contrast to most other countries which are probably weighing their
purchases from the United States earlier rather than later.

Typically, China's cotton consumers and importers this year are primarily
responding to domestic events rather than responding to global market
conditions.  This year's price reductions for cotton produced in Xinjiang
became effective at the beginning of China's crop year (September/August), and
were implemented as much to move excess stocks from the previous year's crop as
to head off continued buildup in Xinjiang cotton from this year's reportedly
large crop.  The Xinjiang Cotton and Jute Company has warehouses in eastern
China, so movement to mills could be fairly rapid once the new pricing policy
came into operation.  The excess stocks from last year's crop reportedly
totaled something on the order of 2 million bales.  Accessing a portion of
these stocks is expected to reduce China's imports substantially in 1997/98--a
39 percent drop from 1996/97 is foreseen.  Accessing these stocks at the
beginning of the marketing year--particularly under circumstances of
uncertainty regarding import policy during the rest of the year--probably
delayed interest in imports by mills in China.  

Most importers of U.S. cotton appear to have made their purchases earlier in
the marketing year rather than waiting as they did in 1996/97.  During
mid-December 1996, export commitments equaled 60 percent of marketing year
1996/97's 6.9 million bales.  During mid-December 1997, export commitments
equaled 84 percent of 1997/98's forecast of 7.1 million bales.  During 1980-91,
mid-December commitments averaged 77 percent of exports, ranging from 62 to 87
percent.  Using the average commitment/export ratio would suggest the United
States will export 7.7 million bales of cotton in 1997/98.  However, relatively
tight beginning stocks in competing countries means the ratio should be above
average.  Adding 1 standard deviation (8 percent) to the 1980-91 average gives
a ratio of 85 percent, suggesting exports close to 7 million bales.

But, under a standard statistical assumption of a "normal" distribution for
this variable, extending 1 standard deviation above the mean implies that we
expect to see higher values only 2.5 percent of the time.  Another way to state
this is that a ratio of 85 percent would be the second or third highest we
could expect to see in 100 years.  The factors driving importers to purchase
earlier than usual during the 1997/98 season do not warrant such an assumption,
and a ratio below 85 percent is therefore more conservative. 

U.S. Mill Use Unchanged, Stocks Lowered

The U.S. cotton mill consumption estimate remains unchanged this month at 11.4
million bales, 2 percent above 1996/97.  Based on 3 months of data, the
seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) for mill use has also averaged 11.4
million bales.  Actual cotton consumption has surpassed 3 million bales during
August-October 1997, compared with 2.9 million a year earlier.  

While cotton use by mills is running 4 percent above a year ago, manmade use is
up 1 percent.  As a result, cotton's share on the cotton spinning system so far
this season has averaged 78.7 percent.  During 1996/97, cotton's share averaged
78.2 percent, the highest in 30 years.  Abundant cotton supplies at lower
prices this season, coupled with an improving demand for denim and rising
textile exports, should result in near-record cotton mill use in 1997/98.

Based on the latest U.S. cotton supply and demand projections, total supplies
are estimated at 22.8 million bales, while total demand is now forecast at 18.5
million.  As a result, ending stocks are projected at 4.3 million bales,
100,000 below the November forecast but 300,000 above beginning stocks.  Based
on these estimates, the implied stocks-to-use ratio for 1997/98 equals 23
percent, compared with 22 percent last season.

Prices Move Lower This Fall

Cotton prices have declined this fall as the harvest potential has been
generally favorable around the world.  U.S. spot prices for base quality upland
cotton slipped to nearly 69 cents per pound in November, with the ELS grade 3
spot price holding near $1.00.  Since September, however, the average price
received by upland producers has remained near 69.5 cents through mid-November.

Prices for mill-delivered cotton have also decreased this fall.  At the start
of 1997/98, mill-delivered prices averaged 77.6 cents per pound and by October,
they had fallen to 75 cents where they remained in November.  As a result,
cotton prices have become more competitive recently, with polyester staple
prices remaining stable.  Evidence supporting this competitiveness is the rise
in cotton's share on the cotton system to nearly 79 percent.

Likewise, world prices have declined so far this season.  In August, A Index
prices were 81 cents per pound, with the U.S. quote near 84 cents.  By
November, the A Index had fallen to average 77 cents.  However, U.S. quotes on
the A Index have decreased a similar amount and averaged near 80 cents per
pound in November.  U.S. cotton, therefore, has continued to be competitive
overseas, with export commitments reaching nearly 6 million bales by early
December.

Textile Trade Deficit Increases Despite Record Exports

Textile imports rose to 954 million pounds in September, 5 percent above a
month earlier, and only slightly below record shipments during July.  Higher
imports of cotton textiles, primarily apparel, accounted for 53 percent of the
increase.  Imports of all major fibers rose in September compared with a month
earlier.  Higher shipments of yarn, thread, and fabric and apparel more than
offset slightly smaller imports of house furnishings and floor coverings. 
Cotton textile imports, at 496 million pounds, were up 5 percent from August,
and were 30 percent above September 1996 imports.  On a regional basis, most of
the September increase occurred from other North American countries.  Higher
shipments from major suppliers such as Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador, and the
Dominican Republic accounted for the majority of the increase.

While textile imports rebounded to a near record in September, textile exports
reached a record 386 million pounds.  Textile exports were up only 1 percent
compared with a month earlier, but were 30 percent above September 1996
shipments.  Exports of all textile fibers, except wool, were higher than a
month earlier.  Also, increases in all major end-use categories, except
apparel, occurred in September.  Cotton textile exports, at 162 million pounds,
were only slightly above a month earlier, but 23 percent above a year ago. 
U.S. cotton textile exports to North America rose to 129 million pounds,
representing 80 percent of total shipments.  U.S. cotton shipments to Mexico,
at 45 million pounds, were 47 percent above September 1996 exports.

The cumulative January through September trade deficit reached 3.98 billion
pounds.  The deficit for the corresponding period during 1996 was 3.36 billion
pounds.  Total export shipments, at 3.2 billion pounds, are 27 percent (685
million pounds) above last year.  However, total textile imports rose 22
percent (1,301 million pounds) to 7.2 billion pounds from a year earlier.  The
9-month cotton textile trade deficit, at 2.4 billion pounds, is 23 percent
above 1996.
 
Trade deficits of manmade fibers, wool, and linen have also increased in 1997. 
Despite record export shipments, the annual deficit in textile trade could
approach 5.3 billion pounds, surpassing the 1995 record of 4.7 billion. 

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *  N O T I C E S  *   *   *   *   *   *   * 
 

Because of resource constraints, ERS will publish only 5 issues of this report
in 1998.  The next report will be released at 4 PM on March 13, 1998. 
Subsequent reports will be released in May, July, August, and November.  We
will continue to publish the Cotton and Wool Yearbook, which will be released
in late November.  This will include both sector data and analysis of critical
issues and topics.  Check the ERS web site (http://www.econ.ag.gov) for the
full schedule and for other publications relating to cotton.  If you have
questions or comments about this change in our schedule, please contact Joy
Harwood, Chief, Field Crops Branch (202-694-5310;jharwood@econ.ag.gov) or Fred
Surls, Outlook Program Coordinator (202-694-5320; fsurls@econ.ag.gov).

Copies of the 1997 Cotton and Wool Yearbook (CWS-1997) are available for
purchase.  For information, call 1-800-999-6779.

ERS has relocated to 1800 M Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036-5831. The new
telephone number for the ERS AutoFax System, which distributes this report and
other Cotton and Wool data, is (202) 694-5700.

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *  * 

For further information, contact Leslie Meyer at (202) 694-5307 (U.S. Cotton);
Steve MacDonald at (202) 694-5305 (Foreign Cotton); or Robert Skinner at (202)
694-5313 (Textiles and Wool).


U.S. COTTON SUPPLY AND USE ESTIMATES
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   1997/98
                                         ----------------------------
Item                          1996/97     Oct         Nov        Dec
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Upland:                                      Million acres
  Planted                      14.38     13.66      13.66       13.66
  Harvested                    12.61     13.19      13.19       13.20
                                                Pounds
  Yield/harvested acre           701       650        666         665

                                        Million 480-lb. bales 
  Beginning stocks              2.54      3.92       3.92        3.92
  Production                   18.41     17.86      18.30       18.29
    Total supply 1/            21.36     21.81      22.25       22.22
  Mill use                     11.02     11.19      11.29       11.29
  Exports                       6.40      6.48       6.58        6.68
   Total use                   17.42     17.67      17.87       17.97
  Ending stocks                 3.92      4.13       4.33        4.24
                                               Percent
  Stocks-to-use ratio           22.5      23.4       24.2        23.6
  
Extra-long staple:                           1,000 acres
  Planted                        258       250        250         250
  Harvested                      256       249        249         249
                                                Pounds
  Yield/harvested acre           991     1,053      1,056       1,027

                                         1,000 480-lb. bales
  Beginning stocks                66        51         51          51
  Production                     529       546        548         533
    Total supply 1/              595       597        599         584
  Mill use                       106       110        110         110
  Exports                        466       425        425         425
    Total use                    572       535        535         535
  Ending stocks                   51        72         74          59
                                               Percent  
  Stocks-to-use ratio            8.9      13.5       13.8        11.0
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Based on USDA estimates.  1/ Includes imports.


WORLD COTTON SUPPLY AND USE ESTIMATES
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   1997/98
                                        ------------------------------
Item                          1996/97     Oct         Nov        Dec
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Supply:                                 Million 480-lb. bales
Beginning stocks
  World                        33.83     36.40       36.42      36.41
  Foreign                      31.22     32.43       32.45      32.44
Production
  World                        89.17     89.87       90.17      90.11
  Foreign                      70.23     71.46       71.33      71.29
Imports
  World                        28.72     27.35       26.91      27.14
  Foreign                      28.32     27.33       26.88      27.12
Use:
Mill use
  World                        88.32     90.14       89.80      89.63
  Foreign                      77.19     78.84       78.40      78.23
Exports
  World                        26.63     27.32       26.95      26.72
  Foreign                      19.77     20.42       19.95      19.62
Ending stocks
  World                        36.41     35.83       36.41      37.00
  Foreign                      32.44     31.63       32.01      32.70

Stocks-to-use ratio                            Percent
  World                         41.2      39.7        40.5       41.3
  Foreign                       42.0      40.1        40.8       41.8
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Based on USDA estimates.


FIBER SUPPLY
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          1997                   1996
                              ---------------------------
Item                             Aug      Sep         Oct         Oct
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Cotton:                                  1,000 480-lb. bales
  Ginnings                       376       954      7,001       6,894
Imports since August 1           1.8       1.8         NA       375.0
  Stocks, beginning            3,971     2,926      2,572       2,829
    At mills                     693       687        635         549
    Public storage             3,287     2,518      2,114       2,123
    CCC stocks                   326       170         64         111

Manmade:                                   Million pounds
  Production                   838.5     882.1      892.5       903.4
    Noncellulosic              804.8     848.0      859.1       864.4
    Cellulosic                  33.7      34.1       33.4        39.0
    Total since January 1    6,868.1   7,750.2    8,642.7     8,318.3

                                         1997                    1996
                             -----------------------------
                                Jul       Aug        Sep          Sep
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Million pounds
  Raw fiber imports            108.0     105.8      111.5       100.3
   Noncellulosic               100.6      99.0      103.3        94.1
    Cellulosic                   7.4       6.8        8.2         6.2
    Total since January 1      773.2     879.0      990.5       843.9

Wool and Mohair:                            1,000 pounds
  Raw wool imports, clean      4,876     4,178      4,785       3,140
    48's-and-finer             3,051     2,581      2,903       1,854
    Not-finer-than-46's        1,824     1,597      1,882       1,285
    Total since January 1     43,114    47,293     52,078      61,103

  Wool top imports               225       267        239         149
    Total since January 1      1,117     1,384      1,622       2,812
  Mohair imports, clean            0         0          0           0
    Total since January 1          3         3          3          43
----------------------------------------------------------------------
NA = Not available.


COTTON SYSTEM FIBER CONSUMPTION
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          1997                   1996
                              ---------------------------
Item                             Aug       Sep       Oct         Oct
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Cotton:                                  1,000 480-lb. bales
All consumed by mills 1/         966     1,008      1,040       1,002
  Total since August 1 1/        966     1,974      3,015       2,900
  SA annual rate 2/           11,168    11,568     11,493      10,988
  SA daily rate 2/              42.8      44.3       44.0        42.1
  Daily rate                    46.0      45.8       45.2        43.6

Upland consumed by mills 1/      957     1,000      1,030         992
  Total since August 1 1/        957     1,957      2,987       2,872
  SA annual rate 2/           11,061    11,472     11,376      10,883
  SA daily rate 2/              42.4      44.0       43.6        41.7
  Daily rate                    45.6      45.5       44.8        43.1
                                          1,000 Spindles
Spindles in place              5,600     5,628      5,609       6,052
  Active spindles              5,326     5,308      5,301       5,561
    100 percent cotton         2,637     2,637      2,635       2,572
    100 percent manmade          881       849        850         967
    Blends                     1,808     1,822      1,816       2,022
                                             Percent
Cotton's share of fibers        78.3      78.9       78.8        78.1

Manmade:                                    1,000 pounds
Total consumed by mills 1/   128,167   129,342    134,307     134,567
  Total since August 1 1/    128,167   257,509    391,816     387,653
  Daily rate                   6,103     5,879      5,839       5,851
    Noncellulosic staple       5,439     5,221      5,190       5,124
    Cellulosic staple            664       658        649         727
----------------------------------------------------------------------
1/ Adjusted to calendar month.  2/ SA = seasonally adjusted.

FIBER EXPORTS
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          1997                   1996
                               --------------------------
Item                             Jul       Aug        Sep         Sep
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Cotton:                                  1,000 480-lb. bales
  Upland exports                 476       444        287         158
    Total since August 1       6,399       444        731         393
  Sales for next season          583        71          3          16
    Total since August 1       1,753        71         74          62
ELS exports                     24.3      13.8       11.8        13.5
    Total since August 1       465.9      13.8       25.5        35.0
  Sales for next season         63.0       1.9        0.0         0.0
    Total since August 1       204.0       1.9        1.9         1.9

Manmade:                                   Million pounds
  Raw fiber exports             89.8      89.7       89.5       102.4
    Noncellulosic               83.9      83.9       83.5        94.7
    Cellulosic                   5.9       5.8        6.0         7.7
    Total since January 1      676.5     766.2      855.7       813.6

Wool and Mohair:                           1,000 pounds
  Raw wool exports, clean      229.0     460.3      271.1       585.9
   Total since January 1     3,504.3   3,964.6    4,235.7     3,897.9
  Wool top exports             469.1     908.1      697.9     1,865.9
    Total since January 1    4,050.4   4,958.5    5,656.3     8,358.8
  Mohair exports, clean        198.1     103.3      283.6       326.9
    Total since January 1      886.6     989.9    1,273.4     3,464.5
----------------------------------------------------------------------

FIBER PRICES
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          1997                   1996
                               --------------------------
Item                            Sep        Oct       Nov          Nov
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Domestic cotton prices:                    Cents per pound
  Adjusted World Price         65.40     63.53      62.99       61.22
  Mar'98 futures               74.45     73.03      72.18       77.09
  Oct'98 futures               75.45     75.51      75.05       77.37
 Upland spot 41-34             70.75     69.46      68.90       70.12
  Pima spot 03-46             104.50    100.15     100.31       97.87
  Avg. price received by:
    Upland producers           69.40     69.60      69.50       69.70

  Mill delivered:
    Cotton
      Actual                   76.56     74.96      74.97       76.89
      Raw fiber equivalent     85.07     83.29      83.30       85.43
    Rayon staple
      Actual                  115.00    115.00     115.00      115.00
      Raw fiber equivalent    119.79    119.79     119.79      119.79
    Polyester staple
      Actual                   71.00     71.00      71.00       72.00
      Raw fiber equivalent     73.96     73.96      73.96       75.00

    Price ratios                               Percent
      Cotton/rayon              71.0      69.5       69.5        71.3
      Cotton/polyester         115.0     112.6      112.6       113.9

Northern Europe cotton quotes:            Cents per pound
  A Index                      79.53     77.56      77.14       76.18
  Memphis Territory            82.50     80.50      79.75       81.81
  California/Arizona           84.25     82.25      81.31       81.31
  B Index                      74.25     73.22      73.65       71.50
  Orleans/Texas                78.50     76.30      75.88       77.88

Wool prices (clean):                      Dollars per pound
 U.S. 56's                      1.50      1.50       1.50        1.25
  Australian 56's 1/            2.03      1.96       1.89        1.80
 U.S. 60's                      1.85      1.85       1.85        1.47
  Australian 60's 1/            2.10      2.06       2.04        1.89
 U.S. 64's                      2.55      2.55       2.60        1.90
  Australian 64's 1/            2.62      2.50       2.45        2.25
---------------------------------------------------------------------
NQ = No quotes.
1/ In bond, Charleston, SC.

TEXTILE TRADE
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         1997                   1996
                            -------------------------------
Item                             Jul        Aug         Sep      Sep
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Imports:                                   1,000 pounds 1/

  Yarn, thread, and fabric   218,440     205,078    213,156   159,885
    Cotton                    91,784      86,627     96,672    69,458
    Linen                     23,701      19,532     19,416    11,564
    Wool                       4,977       4,281      4,717     2,870
    Silk                         830         714        802       833
    Manmade                   97,149      93,924     93,549    75,160

  Apparel                    662,741     622,448    658,123   502,996
    Cotton                   379,083     341,458    357,479   269,706
    Linen                     17,358      16,802     17,347    15,925
    Wool                      30,875      32,524     33,715    27,115
    Silk                      11,783      11,562     12,142    10,169
    Manmade                  223,642     220,101    237,440   180,081

  House furnishings           45,379      51,493     50,849    40,721
    Cotton                    33,110      37,052     36,149    27,984
    Linen                        234         140        139       132
    Wool                         160         303        380       122
    Silk                          49          32         36       101
    Manmade                   11,825      13,966     14,144    12,382

  Floor covering              27,255      25,675     25,481    22,522
    Cotton                     3,632       4,867      4,370     4,257
    Linen                      3,819       3,035      2,634     2,591
    Wool                       8,031       7,051      6,688     5,371
    Silk                         423         329        447       389
    Manmade                   11,349      10,393     11,342     9,915

  Total imports 2/           961,635     912,407    954,282   733,840
    Cotton                   511,067     473,547    495,552   374,851
    Linen                     45,146      39,554     39,574    30,281
    Wool                      44,343      44,437     45,744    35,732
    Silk                      13,086      12,637     13,428    11,491
    Manmade                  347,993     342,232    359,983   281,485

Exports:                                 1,000 pounds 1/

  Yarn, thread, and fabric   141,481     174,925    177,495   128,022
    Cotton                    44,129      60,200     58,569    43,121
    Linen                      3,913       4,549      7,009     3,569
    Wool                       3,815       4,279      4,163     3,423
    Silk                       1,430       1,735      1,766     1,683
    Manmade                   88,195     104,163    105,989    76,226

  Apparel                    141,047     158,143    158,125   127,493
    Cotton                    82,963      93,179     94,396    79,925
    Linen                      1,479       1,743      1,837     2,261
    Wool                       7,468       8,738      7,807     5,951
    Silk                       3,404       3,857      3,727     2,433
    Manmade                   45,734      50,627     50,358    36,923

  House furnishings            6,948       8,304      8,734     6,633
    Cotton                     4,238       4,531      4,838     3,954
    Linen                        160         449        500       198
    Wool                          88         236        176        61
    Silk                         100         200        342       107
    Manmade                    2,362       2,888      2,879     2,313

  Floor covering              37,749      39,478     40,961    34,523
    Cotton                     3,705       3,557      3,859     4,010
    Linen                      2,324       2,189      2,245     1,382
    Wool                       2,458       2,589      3,110     1,758
    Silk                         164         129        172       ---
    Manmade                   29,098      31,014     31,574    27,373

  Total exports 2/           327,522     381,139    385,669   296,953
    Cotton                   135,122     161,540    161,760   131,060
    Linen                      7,886       8,939     11,602     7,422
    Wool                      13,855      15,863     15,275    11,221
    Silk                       5,098       5,920      6,007     4,222
    Manmade                  165,561     188,877    191,024   143,028
---------------------------------------------------------------------
--- = An absence of trade.  1/ Raw fiber equivalent.  Data revised
for 1997.  2/ Includes headgear.


U.S. COTTON TEXTILE IMPORTS
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          1997                  1996
                             ---------------------------
Country                         Jul       Aug        Sep         Sep
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    1,000 pounds 1/

North America                175,721   166,661    177,804     122,661
  Canada                      10,968    13,727     14,702      10,674
  Costa Rica                   9,851     8,546      9,289       7,673
  Dominican Republic          18,056    16,784     18,665      12,252
  El Salvador                 12,225     9,815     12,023       9,093
  Guatemala                    7,980     7,809      7,934       6,497
  Haiti                        1,935     1,612      2,057       1,080
  Honduras                    25,541    23,119     24,525      17,688
  Jamaica                      8,722     7,103      7,272       6,609
  Mexico                      76,307    74,900     77,491      48,381
  Nicaragua                    3,651     2,947      3,477       2,135

South America                  8,117     8,133      7,961       8,390
  Argentina                       21        47         38          58
  Brazil                       2,493     3,402      2,402       3,085
  Chile                          163       173        259         504
  Colombia                     2,730     1,975      2,460       2,387
  Peru                         2,212     2,005      2,296       1,847
  
Europe                        29,593    29,766     29,481      22,638
  Estonia                        933       182        820         610
  France                         795       517        489         527
  Germany                        622       491        649         470
  Italy                        2,703     2,749      1,856       1,845
  Portugal                     4,398     5,765      4,394       3,252
  Russia                         994     1,103      1,274         744
  Spain                        1,200     2,085      1,394       2,262
  Turkey                      13,036    12,713     12,946       9,010
  United Kingdom               1,146     1,217      1,244         927
  
Asia                         274,308   246,355    255,803     209,187
  Bahrain                      1,504     1,147        896         850
  Bangladesh                  18,960    18,179     21,541      13,052
  China                       49,632    38,896     36,748      35,165
  Hong Kong                   35,470    28,378     29,706      24,003
  India                       32,978    31,291     34,370      30,562
  Indonesia                   18,214    17,103     18,348      13,309
  Israel                       2,548     2,211      1,606       2,039
  Japan                        1,412     1,352      1,302       1,153
  Macao                        6,128     4,827      5,411       4,439
  Malaysia                     5,442     4,305      4,552       4,717
  Nepal                        1,057     1,003      1,128         587
  Oman                         1,446     1,992      2,060       1,530
  Pakistan                    31,824    33,415     32,798      22,675
  Philippines                 12,046     9,924     10,469       8,798
  Quator                       1,949     1,660      1,259         914
  Singapore                    1,913     2,016      2,114       1,788
  South Korea                  8,275     7,730      8,913       6,579
  Sri Lanka                    9,755     8,266      8,606       7,844
  Taiwan                      15,001    14,595     15,621      13,680
  Thailand                    10,156    10,637     10,658       8,911
  U Arab Em                    4,016     2,818      2,392       3,279

Oceania                        2,109     1,794      1,870       1,408
  Australia                    1,092       707        734         665
  Fiji                           750       755        916         545
 
Africa                        15,811    14,386     16,072       8,379
  Egypt                        6,662     7,507      7,254       3,218
  Lesotho                      2,326     1,300      1,844       1,119
  Mauritius                    1,992     1,574      2,268       1,369
  Morocco                        775       881        665         741
  South Africa                 1,840     1,389      1,840         871
  Tunisia                        166        86         98          97

World  2/                    511,067   473,547    495,552     374,851
----------------------------------------------------------------------
1/ Raw fiber equivalent.  2/ Data revised for 1997. Totals may not
add due to rounding.


U.S. COTTON TEXTILE EXPORTS
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          1997                  1996
                             ---------------------------
Country                         Jul       Aug        Sep        Sep
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   1,000 pounds 1/

North America                110,371   125,571    128,631     100,091
  Canada                      19,764    25,875     26,625      19,032
  Costa Rica                   8,201     8,574      8,538      10,104
  Dominican Republic          15,707    15,999     15,081      11,399
  El Salvador                  4,131     5,555      4,399       2,516
  Guatemala                    3,741     4,365      4,245       4,117
  Haiti                          960     1,542      1,677         984
  Honduras                    14,222    15,717     16,198      12,222
  Jamaica                      4,063     4,996      6,069       8,166
  Mexico                      38,227    41,641     44,570      30,267

South America                  4,724     6,473      6,426       4,700
  Argentina                      229       322        248         222
  Brazil                         619       911        875         510
  Chile                          367       684        533       1,115
  Colombia                     1,352     1,472      1,805       1,763
  Peru                           146       165        136         101
  Venezuela                    1,361     2,187      2,159         540

Europe                         7,264    14,872     13,984      11,355
  Belgium                        504     6,159      4,249       3,058
  France                         619       732        429         658
  Germany                        980       741      2,163       1,382
  Ireland                        270       461      1,187         110
  Italy                          285       243        209         292
  Netherlands                    804       943        598         668
  United Kingdom               2,017     3,259      3,015       3,414

Asia                          10,920    11,927      9,951      12,945
  China                          150       491        151          47
  Hong Kong                    1,615     1,351      1,191       1,367
  Israel                       1,092     1,249        796         853
  Japan                        4,027     4,579      4,293       5,546
  Philippines                    248       935        367         612
  Saudi Arabia                   613       477        510         479
  Singapore                      382       610        440         719
  South Korea                    488       490        359         823
  Taiwan                         332       366        274         292
  U Arab Em                      457       324        495         972

Oceania                        1,030     1,260      1,111       1,024
  Australia                      838     1,018        939         678
  New Zealand                    164       153        105         284

Africa                           605     1,193      1,306         804
  Egypt                            8        65         78           1
  Ghana                           23         8         12          20
  Ivory Coast                     28        40         73         130
  Nigeria                        239       228        162         226
  South Africa                   115       277        212         222

World  2/                    135,122   161,540    161,760     131,060
----------------------------------------------------------------------
1/ Raw fiber equivalent.  2/ Data revised for 1997.  Totals may not 
add due to rounding.


1997 ACREAGE, YIELD, AND PRODUCTION ESTIMATES
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
State/           Harvested Area         Yield             Production
Region           Nov        Dec      Nov      Dec       Nov        Dec 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
                 1,000 acres            Lbs./          1,000
                                    harvested acre     bales

Upland:
  Alabama        420        420      571      571       500        500
  Florida        100        100      720      720       150        150
  Georgia      1,435      1,435      686      662     2,050      1,980
  N. Carolina    675        675      569      604       800        850
  S. Carolina    285        285      674      674       400        400
  Virginia        99         99      601      601       124        124
    Southeast  3,014      3,014      641      638     4,024      4,004

  Arkansas       930        930      846      846     1,640      1,640
  Louisiana      625        625      730      760       950        990
  Mississippi    960        960      880      900     1,760      1,800
  Missouri       365        375      684      704       520        550
  Tennessee      500        500      634      634       660        660
    Delta      3,380      3,390      785      799     5,530      5,640

  Kansas          14         14      480      480        14         14
  Oklahoma       210        210      503      503       220        220
  Texas        5,300      5,300      489      480     5,400      5,300
    Southwest  5,524      5,524      490      481     5,634      5,534

  Arizona        329        329    1,196    1,196       820        820
  California     875        875    1,207    1,207     2,200      2,200
  New Mexico      66         66      669      640        92         88
    West       1,270      1,270    1,176    1,175     3,112      3,108

Total Upland  13,188     13,198      666      665    18,300     18,286

Pima:
  Arizona         20         20      840      960        35         40
  California     184        184    1,148    1,096       440        420
  New Mexico      13         13      628      628        17         17
  Texas           32         32      840      840        56         56

Total Pima       249        249    1,056    1,027       548        533

Total All     13,437     13,447      673      672    18,848     18,819
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Based on the December Crop Production report.


END_OF_FILE