COTTON AND WOOL OUTLOOK                                    February 11, 1999
February 1999, ERS-CWS-0199
               Approved by the World Agricultural Outlook Board
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COTTON AND WOOL OUTLOOK is issued electronically monthly by the Economic
Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20036-5831. 
Electronic release only; no printed copies available.  
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U.S. Cotton Supply and Demand Overview

The 1998/99 U.S. cotton crop is currently estimated at 13.8 million bales
(upland--13.37 million and extra-long staple(ELS)--430,000) compared with 18.8
million in 1997/98.  Based on the latest Cotton Ginnings report, however,
ginnings by the end of January had already reached the estimated 13.8 million
bales, suggesting that the final 1998/99 cotton crop will be slightly higher. 
Final 1998/99 ginnings, as well as final upland and ELS production, will be
released by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) on May 12.

Based on the current production estimate, U.S. cotton supplies during 1998/99
are expected to reach only 18 million bales, nearly 21 percent below last
season.  In addition, this estimate includes 350,000 bales of raw cotton
imports which are projected to enter into the United States as a result of
"Step 3" special import quotas which will open early in March, coupled with
specific quality needs of U.S. mills that were not available with this
season's reduced U.S. crop.

However, total demand for U.S. cotton is projected to decline over 22 percent
from 1997/98 to 14.6 million bales, the result of the lower U.S. crop, rising
textile imports, a very competitive export market, and a 4-percent decrease in
world cotton consumption.  As a result, 1998/99 U.S. ending stocks are
expected to total 3.4 million bales.  While actual stocks are projected below 
last season, the stocks-to-use ratio is expected to rise above 23 percent,
compared with about 21 percent in 1997/98. 

U.S. Mill Use Lowered

U.S. mill use in 1998/99 is expected to fall nearly one million bales from
last season's 50-year high to 10.4 million, 100,000 bales below the January
projection.  Despite the continued strength in the retail market for cotton
products, much of the consumer demand has been filled with less expensive
imported textile products from many countries still struggling with recent
economic crises.  And as a result of these imports, a buildup in U.S.
inventories forced mills to close longer than normal around the holidays this
season.

Recent seasonally adjusted data for November and December indicate that U.S.
mills used cotton at an annual rate of 10.2 million bales during these 2
months, reflecting holiday closings.  And with holiday closures also included
in the January reporting period, the annual rate for January may be similar to
the previous 2 months.  January data will be released by the Commerce
Department later this month.  Nonetheless, for the first 5 months of 1998/99,
the seasonally adjusted annual rate has averaged over 10.5 million bales.

In addition, actual mill use for August through December indicates that U.S.
mills have consumed 4.3 million bales during the first 5 months of 1998/99, 9
percent below the comparable period of 1997/98.  Despite cotton's recent
declines, decreases in manmade fiber usage on the cotton system have fallen
further, a 14-percent reduction from last season's August through December
period.  As a result, cotton has averaged nearly an 80-percent share for the
first 5 months of 1998/99, compared with 78.5 percent for the entire 1997/98
season.

U.S. Exports Reduced Further

U.S. exports in 1998/99 are projected to drop a whopping 44 percent from last
season's 7.5 million bales and 100,000 below the January projection to only
4.2 million bales.  The reduction from last year is attributable to the decline
in the U.S. crop, which has left exportable supplies at a minimum, and to very
weak worldwide import demand for cotton.  World cotton consumption is now
projected to fall more than 4 percent from last season, the largest
year-to-year decline since 1974/75.  In addition, other major cotton exporters
are generating strong competition for limited markets.

During the first half of 1998/99, exports of U.S. cotton have totaled about
2.8 million bales, or a shipment average of 106,000 bales per week.  With
two-thirds of the forecasted exports already shipped, U.S. exports for the
last half of the season need to average only 56,000 bales per week.  The 
latest Export Sales data indicate that for the month of January, the shipment
pace was 63,000 bales per week.

However, export sales during the remaining months of 1998/99 will have to
compete without the availability of the "Step 2" program.  Outstanding sales
at the end of January stood at 1.2 million bales.  With the addition of
shipments, commitments during the first 6 months of the season totaled 4
million bales, or 95 percent of the forecast.  But, sales beyond the
4.2-million-bale level are needed as some sales are traditionally "rolled over"
to the new season.  Sales and shipments during the next couple of months will
be critical to the export outcome for the 1998/99 season. 

Recent Revisions to U.S. Cotton Data

The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) recently released
historical revisions covering the production years 1992 through 1997. 
Revisions to the various field crop estimates were published in December 1998
in Statistical Bulletin Number 947.  These revisions were made after review of
the original data and additional data now available, including the 1997 Census
of Agriculture.  According to the report, these data are final and will not be
revised again.

For cotton, NASS made revisions to upland area planted, harvested, and yield
for only 2 years, 1996 and 1997.  Upland cotton production estimates were not
changed, and no revisions were made to American Pima data.  Details of the
States and totals that were affected are provided in a table within this
report.  To summarize the revisions, 1996 U.S. upland cotton area was
increased slightly while the yield was reduced marginally.  These changes were
the result of revisions occurring only in North Carolina.  For 1997, however,
revisions were made in several States.  In total, 1997 U.S. upland area was
revised up about 1 percent and the yield was reduced a similar percentage.

Foreign Consumption and Production

Foreign 1998/99 cotton consumption is projected at 74.2 million bales this
month, about 1 million lower than was forecast in January.  The forecast for
foreign production in 1998/99 is slightly lower this month, down 250,000 bales
from January, at 71.1 million bales.  The forecast for foreign imports is also
slightly lower--down 250,000 bales--to 24.2 million, while the forecast for
1998/99 foreign exports of cotton was reduced 410,000 bales to 19.8 million.

Consumption is lower this month largely due to reduced prospects in India and
Turkey.  Data for India's textile production through November show a slowdown
is already underway there despite the prospect of a larger crop.  The forecast
for India's cotton consumption in 1998/99 is 300,000 bales lower than in
January at 12 million bales.  During 1997/98, India's cotton consumption was
12.6 million bales, down from 13.1 million in 1996/97.

Turkey's 1998/99 consumption forecast is 400,000 bales lower this month
compared with January, at 4 million bales.  Turkish industry and government
sources report that a slowdown in domestic textile demand and greater
competition from other textile exporters have forced Turkish textile producers
to cut back this year.  While Turkey's textile exports during the fourth
quarter of calender 1998 exceeded industry expectations and year-ago levels,
textile activity has reportedly slowed.  At 4 million bales, USDA's forecast
of Turkey's 1998/99 mill use of cotton is 1 million below 1997/98's 5 million
bales.

Foreign production in 1998/99 is lower this month as reduced prospects for
crops in Pakistan, Benin, and several other African countries offset larger
estimates for production in Turkey and Australia.

Exports are lower this month largely due to reduced prospects for China.  At
900,000 bales, USDA's February forecast for China's 1998/99 exports is down
400,000 bales from January. China's export volume remains low despite last
year's large sales, a significant proportion of which are now believed to have
been canceled.

Foreign ending stocks in 1998/99 are forecast 800,000 bales higher this month
at 38.2 million. China's export reduction raised expected ending stocks there,
and India's stocks are also substantially higher as larger 1998/99 imports and
reduced consumption compared with January's forecasts raise expected ending
stocks about 700,000 bales.

Textile Trade Declines in November

U.S. textile imports during November 1998 totaled 831 million pounds (raw-fiber
equivalent), down 17 percent from October and the lowest since May. Overall,
imports declined in each major end-use category and for all fibers, except
linen.  Apparel imports, at 540 million pounds, were down 21 percent from a
month earlier, with lower cotton apparel shipments accounting for 48 percent
of the decline.  Total cotton imports were 457 million pounds, representing 55
percent of November imports.  However, total imports during January through
November were 10.1 billion pounds, nearly 15 percent above a year earlier. 
Cotton textile imports were up 19 percent during the first 11 months of 1998.

November textile exports, at 373 million pounds, declined 11 percent from a
month earlier.  Overall, lower shipments occurred in November for all end-use
categories and major fibers, with most of the decline occurring in cotton and
manmade apparel products.  November 1998 shipments were also slightly below
the previous year.  However, cumulative textile exports during January through
November were 4.2 billion pounds, 6 percent above 1997.  Cotton textile
shipments during the past 11 months increased to 1.8 billion pounds, 9 percent
above 1997.

Overall, the textile trade deficit for the first 11 months of 1998 totaled 5.9
billion pounds, compared with 4.9 billion last year.  For the 11 month period
of 1998, cotton accounted for 63 percent of the total trade deficit, compared
with 61 percent in 1997.  Higher trade deficits of all major fibers, except
linen, have increased the deficit in 1998.

* * * 
Copies of the 1998 Cotton and Wool Yearbook (CWS-1998) are available for
purchase.  For information, call 1-800-999-6770.

The next Cotton and Wool Outlook (CWS-0299) will be released on March 12,
1999.

******************************************************************************
Information Contacts:
Leslie Meyer (U.S. Cotton)              LMEYER@ECON.AG.GOV   (202) 694-5307
Stephen MacDonald (Foreign Cotton)      STEPHENM@ECON.AG.GOV (202) 694-5305 
Robert Skinner (Textiles and Wool)      RSKINNER@ECON.AG.GOV (202) 694-5313 
******************************************************************************

U.S. COTTON SUPPLY AND USE ESTIMATES
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                                                   1998/99
                                         ----------------------------
Item                          1997/98     Dec        Jan         Feb
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Upland:                                      Million acres
  Planted                     13.648    12.552      13.088    13.088    
  Harvested                   13.157    10.143      10.486    10.486 
                                                Pounds
  Yield/harvested acre           666       616         612       612

                                        Million 480-lb. bales
  Beginning stocks             3.920     3.822       3.822     3.822
  Production                  18.245    13.020      13.366    13.366 
    Total supply 1/           22.178    17.242      17.538    17.537 
  Mill use                    11.234    10.500      10.400    10.290 
  Exports                      7.060     3.970       3.970     3.900
    Total use                 18.294    14.470      14.370    14.190 
  Ending stocks                3.822     2.728       3.130     3.309
                                               Percent
  Stocks-to-use ratio           20.9      18.9        21.8      23.3
  
Extra-long staple:                           1,000 acres
  Planted                        250       314         330       330
  Harvested                      249       247         237       237
                                                Pounds
  Yield/harvested acre         1,056       841         873       873

                                         1,000 480-lb. bales
  Beginning stocks                51        65          65        65
  Production                     548       432         430       430 
    Total supply 1/              599       497         495       496
  Mill use                       115       100         100       110
  Exports                        440       300         330       300
    Total use                    555       430         430       410
  Ending stocks                   65        72          70        91
                                               Percent  
  Stocks-to-use ratio           11.7      16.7        16.3      22.2
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Based on USDA estimates.  1/ Includes imports.

WORLD COTTON SUPPLY AND USE ESTIMATES
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   1998/99
                                        ------------------------------
Item                          1997/98     Dec        Jan         Feb
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Supply:                                 Million 480-lb. bales
Beginning stocks
  World                        37.95     41.13      41.10      41.12 
  Foreign                      33.98     37.24      37.22      37.24
Production
  World                        91.57     84.20      85.11      84.86
  Foreign                      72.78     70.74      71.32      71.07
Imports
  World                        26.77     24.67      24.75      24.50
  Foreign                      26.76     24.27      24.40      24.15
Use:
Mill use
  World                        88.36     85.83      85.65      84.61
  Foreign                      77.01     75.23      75.15      74.21
Exports
  World                        26.56     24.59      24.46      23.95
  Foreign                      19.06     20.29      20.16      19.75
Ending stocks
  World                        41.12     39.32      40.61      41.60
  Foreign                      37.24     36.52      37.41      38.20

Stocks-to-use ratio                            Percent
  World                         46.5      45.8       47.4       49.2
  Foreign                       48.4      48.5       49.8       51.5
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Based on USDA estimates.

FIBER SUPPLY
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          1998                   1997
                               --------------------------
Item                             Oct       Nov        Dec         Dec
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Cotton:                                  1,000 480-lb. bales
  Ginnings                     5,448     4,014      1,843       3,095
Imports since August 1           0.6       3.2         NA         2.6
  Stocks, beginning            3,468     7,694     10,109      13,479
    At mills                     661       584        559         589
    Public storage             2,959     6,700      8,536      11,113
    CCC stocks                   296     1,251      1,946       1,024

Manmade:                                   Million pounds
  Production                   869.7     779.1      760.9       858.9
    Noncellulosic              840.6     751.4      735.4       829.6
    Cellulosic                  29.1      27.7       25.5        29.3
    Total since January 1    8,729.7   9,508.8   10,269.7    10,349.3 

                                          1998                   1997
                               ---------------------------
                                 Sep       Oct        Nov        Nov
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Million pounds
Raw fiber imports              125.9     125.4      124.3       129.5
    Noncellulosic              119.7     119.5      118.2       121.3
    Cellulosic                   6.2       5.9        6.1         8.2
    Total since January 1    1,126.8   1,252.2    1,376.5     1,122.9

Wool and Mohair:                            1,000 pounds
  Raw wool imports, clean      3,252     7,266      4,933       7,255
    48's-and-finer             1,503     4,834      3,362       5,438
    Not-finer-than-46's        1,749     2,432      1,571       1,818
    Total since January 1     53,965    61,232     66,165      67,862

  Wool top imports               136       103        179         191
    Total since January 1      1,879     1,982      2,161       2,331
  Mohair imports, clean            0         9          0           0
    Total since January 1         11        11         11           1
----------------------------------------------------------------------
NA = Not available.

COTTON SYSTEM FIBER CONSUMPTION
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          1998                   1997
                              ---------------------------
Item                             Oct       Nov        Dec         Dec
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Cotton:                                  1,000 480-lb. bales
All consumed by mills 1/         957       806        722         882
  Total since August 1 1/      2,805     3,611      4,333       4,777
  SA annual rate 2/           10,925    10,206     10,208      11,972
  SA daily rate 2/              42.0      39.3       39.3        45.9
  Daily rate                    43.5      38.4       31.4        38.3

Upland consumed by mills 1/      944       794        711         873
  Total since August 1 1/      2,769     3,564      4,275       4,732
  SA daily rate 2/              41.4      38.9       38.8        45.5
  Daily rate                    42.9      37.8       30.9        38.0

Spindles in place              5,357     5,363      5,368       5,558
  Active spindles              5,032     5,038      5,017       5,246
    100 percent cotton         2,678     2,671      2,665       2,609
    100 percent manmade          779       776        753         828
    Blends                     1,575     1,591      1,599       1,809
                                             Percent
Cotton's share of fibers        80.1      80.1       80.5        79.6

Manmade:                                    1,000 pounds
Total consumed by mills 1/   114,237    95,957     84,044     108,592
  Total since August 1 1/    349,917   445,874    529,918     614,613
  Daily rate                   5,193     4,569      3,654       4,721
    Noncellulosic staple       4,811     4,220      3,424       4,341
    Cellulosic staple            382       349        230         380
----------------------------------------------------------------------
1/ Adjusted to calendar month.  2/ SA = seasonally adjusted.

FIBER EXPORTS
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         1998                     1997
                               --------------------------
Item                             Sep       Oct        Nov          Nov
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Cotton:                                  1,000 480-lb. bales
  Upland exports                 273       256        781         549
    Total since August 1         666       922      1,703       1,662
  Sales for next season            4        47         15           8
    Total since August 1          86       134        149          89

  ELS exports                    7.2       9.0       13.7        32.3
    Total since August 1        16.8      25.8       39.5        76.2
  Sales for next season          0.0       3.6        5.3         2.4
    Total since August 1         0.4       4.1        9.4         8.7

Manmade:                                   Million pounds
  Raw fiber exports             87.6      90.4       76.3        93.3
    Noncellulosic               85.3      86.4       73.3        83.9
    Cellulosic                   2.3       4.0        3.0         9.4
    Total since January 1      778.5     868.9      945.2       971.9

Wool and Mohair:                           1,000 pounds
  Raw wool exports, clean       98.8      81.8        7.0       102.8
   Total since January 1     1,576.7   1,658.5    1,665.5     4,564.0
  Wool top exports             108.2     180.0      415.6       681.3
    Total since January 1    4,738.2   4,918.2    5,333.8     7,433.6
  Mohair exports, clean        176.6     337.0      316.1       106.5
    Total since January 1    1,216.0   1,553.0    1,869.1     1,495.3
----------------------------------------------------------------------

FIBER PRICES
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    1998            1999         1998
                              ------------------
Item                            Nov       Dec        Jan          Jan
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Domestic cotton prices:                    Cents per pound
  Adjusted World Price         42.82     41.96      41.71       57.49
  Mar'99 futures               65.65     61.95      59.28       73.09
  Dec'99 futures               67.47     65.98      63.35       72.85
  Upland spot 41-34            64.95     59.88      56.20       62.75
  Pima spot 03-46             100.00     99.07      97.66      102.15
  Avg. price received by:
    Upland producers           65.10     60.70      59.10       61.10

  Mill delivered:
    Cotton
      Actual                   71.48     67.16      64.47       69.45
      Raw fiber equivalent     79.42     74.62      71.63       77.17
    Rayon staple
      Actual                  101.00    101.00     101.00      115.00
      Raw fiber equivalent    105.21    105.21     105.21      119.79
    Polyester staple
      Actual                   53.00     53.00      51.00       67.00
      Raw fiber equivalent     55.21     55.21      53.13       69.79

    Price ratios                               Percent
      Cotton/rayon              75.5      70.9       68.1        64.4
      Cotton/polyester         143.9     135.2      134.8       110.6

Northern Europe cotton quotes:            Cents per pound
  A Index                      56.53     56.02      55.78       71.04
  Memphis Territory            71.50     71.25         NQ       75.19
  California/Arizona           71.69     70.67      69.31       76.94
  B Index                      54.13     54.83      54.00       69.03
  Orleans/Texas                64.38     66.50      63.75       70.13

Wool prices (clean):                      Dollars per pound
 U.S. 56's                      0.90      0.80       0.77        1.42
  Australian 56's 1/            1.28      1.22       1.42        1.81
 U.S. 60's                      1.05      0.95       0.95        1.79
  Australian 60's 1/            1.47      1.39       1.49        1.87
 U.S. 64's                      1.15      1.15       1.15        2.36
  Australian 64's 1/            1.56      1.47       1.58        2.18
----------------------------------------------------------------------
NQ = No quotes.
1/ In bond, Charleston, SC.

TEXTILE TRADE
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         1998                    1997
                            -----------------------------
Item                             Sep       Oct       Nov          Nov
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Imports:                                   1,000 pounds 1/

  Yarn, thread, and fabric   217,043   218,505    205,990     176,923
    Cotton                    94,825    92,789     84,462      76,425
    Linen                     17,499    21,063     27,351      17,188
    Wool                       36570     3,907      3,659       3,868
    Silk                         849       846        781         842
    Manmade                  100,213    99,900     89,737      78,600

  Apparel                    739,568   684,163    540,093     462,710
    Cotton                   414,420   401,740    332,027     270,236
    Linen                     19,752    17,526     14,864      12,025
    Wool                      34,704    29,106     15,286      16,161
    Silk                      11,901    12,368      9,860       9,204
    Manmade                  258,791   223,423    168,056     155,085

  House furnishings           62,309    60,986     49,228      44,047
    Cotton                    45,170    43,517     34,142      32,937
    Linen                        188       242        140         118
    Wool                         209       149         94         214
    Silk                          69        47        100          22
    Manmade                   16,673    17,031     14,752      10,756

  Floor covering              28,594    32,135     29,124      22,892
    Cotton                     3,856     4,742      3,411       2,897
    Linen                      4,314     3,978      3,801       2,875
    Wool                       8,150     9,458      8,942       6,913
    Silk                         399       492        545         306
    Manmade                   11,875    13,465     12,424       9,900

  Total imports 2/         1,055,240 1,003,763    830,876     712,095
    Cotton                   561,657   546,859    457,288     385,091
    Linen                     41,791    42,861     46,237      32,228
    Wool                      46,975    42,826     28,117      27,279
    Silk                      13,218    13,753     11,287      10,375
    Manmade                  391,599   357,465    287,946     257,123

Exports:                                  1,000 pounds 1/

  Yarn, thread, and fabric   165,187   179,016    166,282     169,655
    Cotton                    58,143    65,707     62,082      55,064
    Linen                      4,460     5,435      5,364       4,334
    Wool                       3,824     4,126      4,456       4,802
    Silk                       1,784     1,885      1,702       1,761
    Manmade                   96,976   101,862     92,678     103,694

  Apparel                    167,791   191,311    160,395     159,298
    Cotton                   100,089   113,786     94,881      94,379
    Linen                      1,882     1,834      1,798       1,835
    Wool                       8,318     8,642      7,595       8,608
    Silk                       3,648     3,995      3,689       4,557
    Manmade                   53,854    63,055     52,433      49,918

  House furnishings            8,967     9,382      8,375       9,038
    Cotton                     5,236     5,551      4,914       5,183
    Linen                        317       354        376         488
    Wool                         101        97         86         206
    Silk                         168       164        227         232
    Manmade                    3,145     3,215      2,773       2,929

  Floor covering              36,622    39,405     37,336      39,150
    Cotton                     2,972     3,533      3,114       3,871
    Linen                      1,822     2,227      1,754       2,215
    Wool                       3,364     3,287      3,341       3,479
    Silk                          91       122         96         151
    Manmade                   28,373    30,236     29,032      29,434

  Total exports 2/           378,835   419,387    372,627     377,506
    Cotton                   166,511   188,652    165,053     158,590
    Linen                      8,491     9,859      9,299       8,883
    Wool                      15,624    16,171     15,489      17,112
    Silk                       5,690     6,167      5,713       6,702
    Manmade                  182,519   198,539    177,073     186,221
----------------------------------------------------------------------
1/ Raw fiber equivalent. 2/ Includes headgear.
 
U.S. COTTON TEXTILE IMPORTS
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         1998                    1997
                             ----------------------------
Country                         Sep       Oct        Nov         Nov
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    1,000 pounds 1/

North America                219,666   231,475    200,712     161,530
  Canada                      20,382    20,148     19,127      14,807
  Costa Rica                   9,684    10,046      8,645       9,014
  Dominican Republic          19,807    21,800     20,830      14,980
  El Salvador                 13,819    15,774     11,871      10,359
  Guatemala                    9,658    10,286      8,321       6,578
  Haiti                        3,170     3,413      3,189       1 975
  Honduras                    28,752    30,963     23,952      23,141
  Jamaica                      6,345     5,678      5,586       6,203
  Mexico                     104,342   108,420     95,908      71,915
  Nicaragua                    3,294     4,380      2,783       2,202

South America                  7,716     7,857      7,715       6,459
  Argentina                       96        30         26          28
  Brazil                       2,487     1,592      1,246       2,395
  Chile                           52        22         12         125
  Columbia                     2,951     3,118      3,043       1,861
  Peru                         1,800     2,484      2,930       1,775

Europe                        31,306    33,541     23,589      22,008
  Estonia                        636       949        833         752
  France                         716       932        710         528
  Germany                        939       785        840         579
  Italy                        1,941     2,901      3,284       2,783
  Portugal                     4,469     5,388      2,438       4,071
  Russia                         988       981        845       1,089
  Spain                        1,721     2,035      1,368         551
  Turkey                      13,646    13,116      8,667       7,451
  United Kingdom               1,733     1,570      1,354       1,073

Asia                         278,916   252,271    209,396     176,688
  Bahrain                      1,199       955      1,055         758
  Bangladesh                  21,423    17,525     12,225      11,691
  China                       36,771    32,050     24,788      21,496
  Hong Kong                   33,785    31,381     27,959      26,612
  India                       36,693    33,052     25,158      19,528
  Indonesia                   16,527    15,397     10,875      13,070
  Israel                       2,325     2,387      2,353       1,539
  Japan                        1,140     1,117      1,145         786
  Macao                        6,634     6,250      5,471       3,704
  Malaysia                     6,084     5,990      4,768       4,070
  Nepal                        1,194       834      1,304         655
  Oman                         2,012     1,822      1,832       1,482
  Pakistan                    36,055    33,015     28,435      25,672
  Philippines                 11,006    10,585      9,495       7,898
  Qator                        1,543       995      1,101         792
  Singapore                    3,614     2,759      2,102       1,660
  South Korea                 10,118     9,621      7,016       5,111
  Sri Lanka                    9,368     8,403      7,190       4,808
  Taiwan                      15,940    14,627     12,237       9,351
  Thailand                    13,108    11,581     11,354       9,234
  U Arab Em                    2,377     2,573      1,600       1,398

Oceania                        2,436     1,853        836       1,470
  Australia                      851       788        675         724
  Fiji                         1 270       884         61         610

Africa                        17,750    16,731     12,803      11,278
  Egypt                        7,600     6,974      5,746       5,577
  Lesotho                      1,914     2,033      1,540       1,405
  Mauritius                    2,376     2,698      2,003       1,522
  Morocco                        986     1,393        982         892
  South Africa                 2,081     1,274        983         808
  Tunisia                        110        58         29          65

World  2/                    561,657   546,859    457,288     385,091
----------------------------------------------------------------------
1/ Raw fiber equivalent.  2/ Totals may not add due to rounding.

U.S. COTTON TEXTILE EXPORTS
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         1998                    1997
                              ---------------------------
Country                          Sep       Oct        Nov         Nov
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   1,000 pounds 1/

North America                143,682   165,645    143,118     128,133
  Canada                      29,694    33,614     29,491      26,194
  Costa Rica                   7,210     7,702      7,603       8,978
  Dominican Republic          15,007    18,502     15,035      17,135
  El Salvador                  5,490     6,771      5,890       5,726
  Guatemala                    3,512     4,832      3,109       4,174
  Haiti                          836     2,267      1,329       2,133
  Honduras                    20,194    24,082     17,256      16,316
  Jamaica                      3,561     5,197      3,188       5,807
  Mexico                      56,656    60,552     58,666      39,974

South America                  3,882     4,079      3,598       5,341
  Argentina                      231       131        160         354
  Brazil                         485       517        433         677
  Chile                          695       747        527         914
  Columbia                       954     1,554      1,345       1,515
  Peru                            80        99        153         127
  Venezuela                      919       569        602       1,337

Europe                         9,848     8,599      8,246      13,229
  Belgium                      2,598     2,485      3,206       4,246
  France                         625       672        551         752
  Germany                        804       904        855       1,067
  Ireland                         95        95        114       1,171
  Italy                          292       342        356         190
  Netherlands                    491       567        376         866
  United Kingdom               3,381     2,605      1,789       3,222

Asia                           7,364     8,251      8,330       9,586
  China                          167       504        270         266
  Hong Kong                      893     1,763      1,506       1,419
  Israel                         778       442        847         826
  Japan                        2,965     3,030      2,617       3,356
  Philippines                    524       263        312         500
  Saudi Arabia                   363       481        643         637
  Singapore                      196       267        303         371
  South Korea                    171       199        478         298
  Taiwan                         216       200        235         396
  U Arab Em                      278       307        310         310

Oceania                          837     1,154        700       1,170
  Australia                      506       648        501         867
  New Zealand                    235        81        123         175

Africa                           606       664        801         776
  Egypt                            2         6         52           5
  Ghana                           35        48         43          22
  Ivory Coast                     14        23         33          35
  Nigeria                        117       130        118         151
  South Africa                   172        85        131         157

World  2/                    166,511   188,652    165,053     158,590
----------------------------------------------------------------------
1/ Raw fiber equivalent.  2/ Totals may not add due to rounding.

HISTORICAL REVISIONS TO U.S. COTTON AREA AND YIELD
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year        Previous     Revised      Previous      Revised   
and           Area       Area         Area        Area     Previous  Revised
State       Planted     Planted     Harvested   Harvested     Yield    Yield
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 ---------------------1,000 acres-----------------  -----Pounds------

1996
NC              721          740            710       730        677       659 
Upland       14,376       14,395         12,612    12,632        701       700
All Kinds    14,634       14,653         12,868    12,888        707       705

1997
AR              950          980            940       965        859       837
LA              630          655            625       650        757       728
MO              380          395            375       390        723       695
NC              670          690            665       685        671       652
SC              290            *            285       286        691       688
TX            5,500            *          5,150     5,200        479       474
Upland       13,558       13,648         13,021    13,157        673       666
All Kinds    13,808       13,898         13,270    13,406        680       673
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Not revised.

Source: Field Crops Final Estimates 1992-97, USDA, NASS.

END_OF_FILE