COTTON AND WOOL OUTLOOK                                      September 12, 1996
            Approved by the World Agricultural Outlook Board
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COTTON AND WOOL OUTLOOK is published monthly (except January) by the Economic
Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20005-4788. 
CWS-0896.  
 
Note: Tables in this report will not be properly formatted unless printed or
displayed with both a fixed-pitch font, such as Courier, and an 80-character
line width. 
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Cotton Crop Lowered
 
The 1996 U.S. cotton crop was reduced to 17.9 million bales in September, 4
percent below August indications and equal to last season's crop.  Upland
production is estimated at 17.3 million bales (675,000 bales below last month)
while the extra-long staple (ELS) crop is forecast at 574,000 (down 2,000
bales).  Historical differences between the September forecast and final
production indicate that chances are two out of three that the 1996 cotton
crop will range between 16.8 and 19.0 million bales.  The national cotton
yield declined 25 pounds per harvested acre from August and is currently
estimated at 661 pounds.  The reduction in yield resulted from lower
production in the Delta and the West.  Meanwhile, this season's ginnings
totaled 343,150 running bales prior to September 1, compared with 427,000
ginned by the same date last year.
 
While the 1996 U.S. cotton crop is earlier than normal this year, the average
condition of the crop remains slightly above last season.  As of September 8,
52 percent of the crop had bolls opening, compared with 47 percent a year ago
and a 42-percent average during the last 5 years.  In addition, 57 percent of
the U.S. cotton acreage is rated "good" or "excellent" in early September,
while 14 percent is rated "poor" or "very poor."  Most States had more than 60
percent of their area in the "good" or "excellent" category.  Texas, however,
had only 42 percent in the upper ranges.
 
The largest production decline this month occurred in the West.  The crop is
estimated at 3.2 million bales, 420,000 below the August forecast.  Data from
the objective yield survey for California indicated the lowest large boll
count during the past 10 years, and small boll and square counts are the
fourth lowest.  Yields in California fell nearly 200 pounds to 1,134 pounds
per harvested acre.  Overall, the region's yield is forecast at 1,131 pounds.
 
In the Delta, production is forecast at 5.8 million bales, 300,000 below the
initial forecast.  The largest declines occurred in Arkansas and Louisiana
where the production potential fell a combined 290,000 bales due to yield
loss.  A slight production decline in Mississippi was offset by an increase in
Missouri.  The Delta yield dropped 37 pounds from August to 715 pounds per
harvested acre.
 
In the Southwest, no changes were made in September.  Production is projected
at 3.8 million bales, with an average yield of 422 pounds per harvested acre. 
In contrast, the Southeast showed a slight increase, attributable solely to
Alabama.  For the region, nearly 4.5 million bales of production are forecast,
with an average yield of 686 pounds per harvested acre.  However, effects of
Hurricane Fran on the Southeast are not included in this month's estimates.
 
Foreign Net Imports Reduced
 
Improved 1995/96 outturn in some of the world's late-harvesting regions raised
estimated foreign beginning stocks for 1996/97 this month, in turn cutting
expected net foreign import needs for 1996/97, and reducing U.S. export
prospects.  Production overseas in 1996/97 was little changed this month at
69.5 million bales due to offsetting changes in India and China.  Foreign
consumption was also virtually unchanged as a higher forecast in India offset
smaller forecasts for China, Turkey, and Brazil.
 
The largest revisions for 1995/96 and 1996/97 this month were for India. 
Southern India's cotton is harvested well after most Northern Hemisphere
crops, and unexpectedly large arrivals at gins since May have resulted in a
steadily rising production estimate for India's 1995/96 crop.  In May 1996,
USDA's estimate for India stood at 10.9 million 480-pound bales.  By August,
it had been raised to 11.9 million bales, and this month was raised another
360,000 bales to nearly 12.3 million.
 
India's 1995/96 consumption estimates also have risen over the last few
months, from 10.8 million bales in May to 11.4 million this month.  The upward
revisions for India's performance in 1995/96 suggested better prospects than
earlier foreseen for both production and consumption in 1996/97.  The forecast
for production was raised 800,000 bales this month to 11.3 million bales,
while consumption was raised 550,000 bales to 11.8 million.
 
However, China's weaker production prospects more than offset India's gain in
September.  China's 1996/97 crop was reduced due to increasing evidence that
problems procuring the large 1995/96 harvest cut returns to producers, cutting
farmers price expectations for the 1996/97 crop.  Area was down 4 percent from
the previous estimate, to 4.8 million hectares.  Yield prospects also were
trimmed in the wake of August rains and flooding in northern China, and the
forecast for the crop was reduced 1 million bales to 18 million.
 
China's consumption estimate was trimmed 300,000 bales to 20.2 million, the
same as the preceding 2 years.  The profitability and production of China's
textile industry has been poor of late.  Textile exports have been hampered
since the end of calendar 1995 by reduced value-added tax export rebates and a
continued rising real exchange rate.  The tight monetary policy that is partly
responsible for the exchange rate also has increased the cost of borrowing
across the entire economy, exacerbating the longstanding structural problems
facing China's textile industry.  
 
U.S. Export Sales and Shipments Weak
 
Higher revised 1995/96 production estimates for Australia and Brazil
--in addition to India's production and a cut in Turkey's consumption--also
contributed to higher 1996/97 beginning stocks.  In part due to these larger
stocks, expected foreign imports for 1996/97 fell 275,000 bales, and foreign
exports rose 110,000 bales.  In total, the net foreign trade outlook is less
favorable this month by nearly 400,000 bales.
 
U.S. export sales have been lagging this year, with commitments through
September 5 the third lowest since 1975.  Commitments have averaged almost 60
percent of the year's exports by the sixth week of the marketing year, but
September 5 commitments of 2.2 million bales total about 35 percent of the
6.2-million-bale export forecast.
 
Comparisons between 1996/97 and other years are difficult due to the varying
impact of the step 2 program over the years.  Program changes this year in
determining the value of step 2 payments and the unprecedented activity under
step 3, make 1996/97 even less comparable with the recent past.  Before 1990,
export commitments by the sixth week of the marketing year were always between
46 and 77 percent of the year's actual exports (1974, the first year data were
collected for USDA's Export Sales publication, was an exception at 113
percent).  Since 1991, they have varied between 21 percent and 94 percent.
 
The U.S. share of world beginning stocks is perhaps its lowest ever this year,
at 7.4 percent, compared with a 13.6-percent average over 1987-95.  However,
the expected U.S. share of production--20.5 percent--is relatively high.  And
subtracting U.S. consumption from production still leaves U.S. "excess"
production equal to 7.7 percent of the expected world crop in 1996/97, about
average.  With beginning stocks tight, but expected available production
average, delayed purchases of U.S. cotton make sense, and importers are likely
to draw on U.S. supplies later in the marketing year than usual.
 
A minor reduction in 1995/96 exports was made this month, placing U.S. cotton
exports at 7.7 million bales.  No other revisions were made at this time as
July export and import data will be released later this month.  Imports in
1995/96 are estimated to have reached 375,000 bales, the largest since the
1929 season.  Helping to achieve this level were June imports of 115,000
bales, the highest monthly total since March 1920 when imports reached 134,000
bales.
 
U.S. Mill Consumption and Stocks
 
U.S. cotton mill consumption data for 1995/96 should be finalized later this
month.  Meanwhile, preliminary data indicate that U.S. mills used 10.6 million
bales of cotton last season, 5 percent below 1994/95.  However, cotton's share
of fiber use on the cotton system averaged 78 percent during 1995/96, 1
percentage point above the previous season and the highest since the 1966
season.
 
Based on the preliminary July data, U.S. mill use averaged 37,500, 480-pound
bales per day, the second lowest of the season as many mills traditionally
shut down during the week of July 4.  Only December 1995's daily rate was
lower.  However, July 1996's daily rate was well above last year's 35,400
bales per day.
 
While 1995/96 cotton mill use fell slightly from a year ago, manmade fiber
usage on the cotton system declined more than 11 percent from 1994/95. 
Manmade fiber use totaled 1.4 billion pounds, the lowest in over 20 years and
similar to its 1974/75 level.
 
Cotton mill consumption in 1996/97 is projected to rebound as demand for
cotton textile products rises this season.  Strong retail sales are keeping
inventories at relatively low levels.  In addition, U.S. cotton textile
exports continue to expand and are on track to surpass 3 million 
bale-equivalents in 1996, nearly 10 percent above 1995.  In 1996/97, U.S.
cotton mill use is expected to rise more than 5 percent to 11.2 million bales,
similar to the 1994/95 level.
 
Based on the revisions in U.S. cotton supply and demand, 1996/97 ending stocks
declined 10 percent from the August estimate.  Total supply this season is
estimated at 21 million bales, including 500,000 in imports.  While supplies
are estimated similar to a year ago, total use is projected to decline by
nearly 1 million bales.  Therefore, 1996/97 ending stocks are estimated to
rise 38 percent to 3.6 million bales, a stock-to-use ratio of 20.7 percent.
 
Cotton Prices Mixed; Manmade Unchanged
 
Through mid-August, the average price received by upland producers declined to
74.3 cents per pound from a revised July price of 76.2 cents.  During August
1995, the upland price was 72.6 cents.  Spot prices also fell in August. 
While the upland price decreased only slightly, the ELS spot price dropped 15
cents to $1.19 per pound.
 
On the other hand, upland mill-delivered cotton prices rose slightly in August
to 82.6 cents per pound.  A year ago, the cotton price averaged 89.7 cents. 
In contrast, manmade fiber prices remain unchanged for the last 4 months. 
Polyester staple prices in August were reported at 78 cents per pound, while
rayon staple remained at $1.15 per pound.
 
Meanwhile, Northern Europe cotton prices have slipped several cents since the
beginning of the marketing year.  In August, the A Index averaged around 76
cents per pound and has remained near this average in early September. 
However, the U.S. quotes remain about a dime above the average and nearly 15
cents above the Central Asian quote, the lowest in the A Index.
 
Textile Trade Declines in June
 
Textile imports increased for the second consecutive month in June to 645
million pounds, 6 percent above May but 9 percent below June 1995.  Overall,
larger shipments of cotton, wool, and manmade fiber textiles more than offset
slight declines in silk and linen imports.  Larger imports of all 
end-uses except yarn, thread, and fabric occurred in June, with apparel
shipments up nearly 39 million pounds (10 percent) from a month earlier. 
Cotton textile imports, at 343 million pounds, were up 5 percent from May, but
were 11 percent below June 1995 shipments.  Imports from Asia increased 9
percent to 186 million pounds.  Although cotton textile shipments from North
America declined slightly in June, imports from Mexico increased 2 percent to
45.6 million pounds.
 
Textile exports were down only slightly from record May shipments.  Total June
exports, at 285 million pounds, were 5 percent below a month ago, but 3
percent above year-earlier shipments.  Lower exports of all major fibers
occurred in June, compared with a month earlier.  Overall, lower shipments of
apparel and floor coverings more than offset slight increases in yarn, thread,
and fabric and home furnishings.  Cotton textile exports, at 128 million
pounds, were down 6 percent from May.  U.S. cotton textile shipments to North
America declined over 6 million pounds to 95.8 million.
 
Overall, the textile trade deficit continued to decline during the first 6
months of 1996.  The 1996 deficit reached 1.9 billion pounds at the end of
June, compared with 2.3 billion last year.  Cotton accounts for the largest
share (60 percent) as the deficit totaled nearly 1.2 million pounds, or the
equivalent of more than 2.4 million bales of raw cotton.  However, with
stronger exports of all major fibers, the textile trade deficit should decline
for the first time in several years.
 
Lower Wool Production Forecast
 
U.S. wool production this season is estimated at 30 million pounds, clean, 12
percent below 1995 (33.6 million pounds) as the sheep stock continues to
decline.  Raw wool imports are also forecast down at 85 million pounds, 4
percent below last year.  Raw wool imports totaled 46.1 million pounds during
January through June 1996, compared with 51.5 million a year earlier.
 
Domestic mill use is projected down slightly this year to 140 million pounds. 
Final 1995 wool consumption totaled 142 million pounds.  Mill use during the
first 6 months of 1996 was 70.4 million pounds, 9 percent below the
corresponding period of last year.  Consumption on the woolen and worsted
systems were down 7 and 13 percent, respectively.  However, carpet mill use,
at 5.8 million pounds, was up 3 percent from a year earlier.
 
With lower wool production and imports this year, ending stocks are forecast
to decline slightly to 38 million pounds.  Despite the decline in U.S. stocks,
abundant foreign supplies are expected to pressure domestic prices.  Wool farm
prices are projected to average near 85 cents per pound, down 19 cents from
the 1995 average price received by farmers.  As a result of reduced production
and the elimination of wool incentive payments, total revenue from wool
production in 1996 may drop slightly below $50 million.
 
Sheep and Wool Research and Promotion Referendum To Be Held This Fall
 
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that a second referendum on the
Sheep and Wool Promotion, Research, Education, and Information Order will be
held no later than October 1.  A referendum was passed last February 6 by 54
percent of the votes cast.  However, the order was suspended because of
inconsistencies in voting procedures which negated the results of that
referendum.
 
Eligible voters--sheep producers, sheep feeders, and importers of sheep and
sheep products--will be notified of the second referendum.  For the order to
become effective, it must be approved by either a majority of voters or by
voters who account for two-thirds of the production represented in the
referendum.  The order, which was authorized by the 1994 Sheep Promotion,
Research, and Information Act, would be funded by mandatory assessments on
domestic producers and feeders, and on importers of sheep and sheep products. 
The assessments would be used to develop a program to strengthen the position
of sheep and sheep products in the marketplace.
 
The next Cotton and Wool Outlook (CWS-0996) will be released on October 15.
 
For further information, contact Leslie Meyer at (202) 501-8528 (U.S. Cotton),
Steve MacDonald at (202) 219-1179 (Foreign Cotton), or Robert Skinner at (202)
219-0767 (Textiles and Wool).
 
U.S. COTTON SUPPLY AND USE ESTIMATES
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   1996/97
                                         ----------------------------
Item                          1995/96      Jul       Aug          Sep
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Upland:                                      Million acres
  Planted                      16.72     14.10      13.98       13.98
  Harvested                    15.80     13.45      12.73       12.73
                                                Pounds
  Yield/harvested acre           533       657        679         653
 
                                        Million 480-lb. bales
  Beginning stocks              2.59      2.56       2.56        2.56
  Production                   17.53     18.46      18.00       17.33
    Total supply 1/            20.49     21.41      20.95       20.38
  Mill use                     10.50     10.90      10.90       11.10
  Exports                       7.40      6.19       6.19        5.80
    Total use                  17.90     17.09      17.09       16.90
  Ending stocks                 2.56      4.32       3.89        3.48
                                               Percent
  Stocks-to-use ratio           14.3      25.3       22.7        20.6
 
Extra-long staple:                           1,000 acres
  Planted                        215       264        264         264
  Harvested                      211       259        262         262

                                                Pounds
  Yield/harvested acre           836     1,000      1,056       1,052
 
                                         1,000 480-lb. bales
  Beginning stocks                59        37         37          37
  Production                     368       540        576         574
    Total supply 1/              437       592        623         621
  Mill use                       100       100        100         100
  Exports                        300       410        410         400
    Total use                    400       510        510         500
  Ending stocks                   37        82        113         121
                                               Percent
  Stocks-to-use ratio            9.3      16.1       22.2        24.2
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Based on USDA estimates.  1/ Includes imports.
 
WORLD COTTON SUPPLY AND USE ESTIMATES
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   1996/97
                                        ------------------------------
Item                          1995/96     Jul          Aug         Sep
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Supply:                                 Million 480-lb. bales
Beginning stocks
  World                        29.29     33.78       34.33      34.95
  Foreign                      26.64     31.18       31.73      32.35
Production
  World                        91.50     88.99       88.35      87.35
  Foreign                      73.60     69.99       69.77      69.45
Imports
  World                        26.94     26.57       26.57      26.39
  Foreign                      26.56     26.17       26.17      25.89
Use:
Mill use
  World                        84.96     86.97       86.67      86.84
  Foreign                      74.36     75.97       75.67      75.64
Exports
  World                        27.59     26.95       26.73      26.44
  Foreign                      19.89     20.35       20.13      20.24
Ending stocks
  World                        34.95     35.23       35.68      35.22
  Foreign                      32.35     30.83       31.68      31.62
 
Stocks-to-use ratio                            Percent
  World                         41.1      40.5        41.2       40.6
  Foreign                       43.5      40.6        41.9       41.8
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Based on USDA estimates.
 
FIBER SUPPLY
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          1996                   1995
                               --------------------------
Item                             May       Jun       Jul          Jul
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Cotton:                                  1,000 480-lb. bales
  Ginnings                         0         0          0           0
Imports since August 1          90.2      205.1        NA        20.5
  Stocks, beginning            5,814     4,538      3,527       3,655
    At mills                     662       660        629         759
    Public storage             4,519     3,513      2,668       2,586
    CCC stocks                 1,103       752        496         292
 
Manmade:                                   Million pounds
  Production                   811.3     829.6      845.8       802.5
    Noncellulosic              769.3     788.3      807.4       760.1
    Cellulosic                  42.0      41.3       38.4        42.4
    Total since January 1    3,968.2   4,797.8    5,643.6     5,748.3
 
                                          1996                   1995
                               ---------------------------
                                Apr        May        Jun         Jun
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Million pounds
  Raw fiber imports             91.1      93.7       91.9        78.8
    Noncellulosic               85.9      88.3       85.2        73.4
    Cellulosic                   5.2       5.4        6.7         5.4
    Total since January 1      347.1     440.8      532.7       552.3
 
Wool and Mohair:                            1,000 pounds
  Raw wool imports, clean      5,574     7,011      5,946       5,200
    48's-and-finer             3,824     5,232      4,664       2,564
    Not-finer-than-46's        1,750     1,779      1,282       2,636
    Total since January 1     33,151    40,163     46,109      51,548
 
  Wool top imports               402       429        506         520
    Total since January 1      1,304     1,733      2,239       2,711
  Mohair imports, clean            2         2          0           0
    Total since January 1          5         7          9          11
----------------------------------------------------------------------
NA = Not available.
 
COTTON SYSTEM FIBER CONSUMPTION
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          1996                   1995
                              ---------------------------
Item                             May       Jun        Jul         Jul
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Cotton:                                  1,000 480-lb. bales
All consumed by mills 1/         981       862        863         743
  Total since August 1 1/      8,874     9,736     10,600      11,198
  SA annual rate 2/           10,780    11,147     10,891      10,183
  SA daily rate 2/              41.1      42.5       41.6        39.0
  Daily rate                    42.7      43.1       37.5        35.4
 
Upland consumed by mills 1/      965       846        828         737
  Total since August 1 1/      8,765     9,611     10,440      11,096
  SA annual rate 2/           10,600    10,938     10,508      10,099
  SA daily rate 2/              40.5      41.7       40.1        38.7
  Daily rate                    42.0      42.3       36.0        35.1
 
Spindles in place              6,237     6,272      6,248       6,965
  Active spindles              5,702     5,737      5,697       6,496
    100 percent cotton         2,634     2,674      2,677       2,770
    100 percent manmade          980     1,033        986       1,127
    Blends                     2,088     2,030      2,034       2,599
                                             Percent
Cotton's share of fibers        77.8      77.4       77.2        77.1
 
Manmade:                                    1,000 pounds
Total consumed by mills 1/   134,498   120,932    122,053     105,834
  Total since August 1 1/  1,188,436 1,309,367  1,431,420   1,610,585
  Daily rate                   5,848     6,047      5,307       5,040
    Noncellulosic staple       5,015     5,161      4,666       4,360
    Cellulosic staple            833       886        641         680
----------------------------------------------------------------------
1/ Adjusted to calendar month.  2/ SA = seasonally adjusted.
 
FIBER EXPORTS
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         1996                     1995
                               --------------------------
Item                             Apr       May        Jun          Jun
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Cotton:                                  1,000 480-lb. bales
  Upland exports                 552       329        252         264
    Total since August 1       6,633     6,962      7,214       8,707
  Sales for next season           36        48        165         190
    Total since August 1         413       461        626       3,589
 
  ELS exports                   24.5      13.2       11.7        36.3
    Total since August 1       253.5     266.6      278.3       394.2
  Sales for next season         12.1      10.5        8.8         4.5
    Total since August 1       151.7     162.2      171.0       160.8
 
Manmade:                                   Million pounds
  Raw fiber exports             88.7      93.0       88.7        73.5
    Noncellulosic               83.0      84.5       82.1        66.5
    Cellulosic                   5.7       8.5        6.6         7.0
    Total since January 1      358.1     451.1      539.8       488.2
 
Wool and Mohair:                           1,000 pounds
  Raw wool exports, clean      404.9     506.9      494.4     1,170.4
   Total since January 1     1,365.2   1,872.1    2,366.5     4,080.8
  Wool top exports             659.6     739.9      643.1       864.8
    Total since January 1    3,471.7   4,211.6    4,854.7     4,693.0
 
  Mohair exports, clean        214.2     129.9      494.3        97.6
    Total since January 1    1,981.7   2,111.6    2,605.9     2,402.0
----------------------------------------------------------------------
 
FIBER PRICES
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          1996                   1995
                              -----------------------------
Item                            Jun       Jul        Aug         Aug
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Domestic cotton prices:                    Cents per pound
  Adjusted World Price         68.55     64.39      61.64       70.62
  Oct'96 futures               76.58     72.67      73.17       74.84
  Dec'96 futures               76.43     73.35      73.78       73.37
  Upland spot 41-34            80.23     76.84      76.15       85.90
  Pima spot 03-46             140.00    133.74     118.55      136.50
  Avg. price received by:
    Upland producers           78.60     76.20      74.30       72.60
 
  Mill delivered:
    Cotton
      Actual                   85.99     82.18      82.61       89.71
      Raw fiber equivalent     95.54     91.31      91.79       99.68
    Rayon staple
      Actual                  115.00    115.00     115.00      125.00
      Raw fiber equivalent    119.79    119.79     119.79      130.21
    Polyester staple
      Actual                   78.00     78.00      78.00       92.00
      Raw fiber equivalent     81.25     81.25      81.25       95.83
 
    Price ratios                               Percent
      Cotton/rayon              79.8      76.2       76.6        76.6
      Cotton/polyester         117.6     112.4      113.0       104.0
 
Northern Europe cotton quotes:            Cents per pound
  A Index                      82.80     79.68      76.29        85.44
  Memphis Territory            93.25        NQ      82.80        86.90
  California/Arizona           93.25     83.50      83.55        91.90
  B Index                      77.25     74.04      74.38        82.12
  Orleans/Texas                85.75     81.19      79.60        83.05
 
Wool prices (clean):                      Dollars per pound
 U.S. 56's                      1.35      1.30       1.30        1.73
  Australian 56's 1/            1.81      1.82       1.84        2.33
 U.S. 60's                      1.55      1.55       1.55        2.00
  Australian 60's 1/            1.99      1.94       1.95        2.52
 U.S. 64's                      1.92      1.92       1.92        2.50
  Australian 64's 1/            2.45      2.36       2.34        2.84
----------------------------------------------------------------------
NQ = No quotes.
1/ In bond, Charleston, SC.
 
1996 ACREAGE, YIELD, AND PRODUCTION ESTIMATES
-------------------------------------------------------------------
 
State/          Harvested Area          Yield         Production
Region           Aug      Sep       Aug      Sep     Aug       Sep
-------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        Lbs./           1,000
                 1,000 acres       harvested acre       bales
 
Upland:
  Alabama        556      556       600      639     695       740
  Florida        100      100       672      672     140       140
  Georgia      1,375    1,375       698      698   2,000     2,000
  N. Carolina    735      735       679      679   1,040     1,040
  S. Carolina    265      265       743      743     410       410
  Virginia       102      102       706      706     150       150
    Southeast  3,133    3,133       679      686   4,435     4,480
 
  Arkansas       990      990       824      742   1,700     1,530
  Louisiana      940      940       733      705   1,500     1,380
  Mississippi  1,030    1,030       792      764   1,700     1,640
  Missouri       405      405       640      699     540       590
  Tennessee      520      520       600      600     650       650
    Delta      3,885    3,885       752      715   6,090     5,790
 
  Kansas           2        2       311      311       1         1
  Oklahoma       240      240       340      340     170       170
  Texas        4,100    4,100       427      427   3,650     3,650
    Southwest  4,342    4,342       422      422   3,821     3,821
 
  Arizona        324      324     1,230    1,200     830       810
  California     995      995     1,327    1,134   2,750     2,350
  New Mexico      54       54       667      667      75        75
    West       1,373    1,373     1,278    1,131   3,655     3,235
 
Total Upland  12,733   12,733       679      653  18,001    17,326
 
Pima:
  Arizona         40       40       842      818      70        68
  California     165      165     1,207    1,207     415       415
  New Mexico      17       17       678      678      24        24
  Texas           40       40       804      804      67        67
 
Total Pima       262      262     1,056    1,052     576       574
 
Total All     12,995   12,995       686      661  18,577    17,900
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Based on the September Crop Production report.
 
TEXTILE TRADE
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         1996                    1995
                            -----------------------------
Item                             Apr      May        Jun          Jun
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Imports:                                   1,000 pounds 1/
 
  Yarn, thread, and fabric   171,897   173,257    166,610     179,202
    Cotton                    70,895    72,479     68,048      80,601
    Linen                     26,278    22,557     17,213      26,440
    Wool                       3,740     3,804      3,373       3,964
    Silk                         680       709        627         693
    Manmade                   70,303    73,709     77,348      67,503
 
  Apparel                    333,652   380,229    419,056     468,694
    Cotton                   197,358   225,891    245,609     270,887
    Linen                      6,798     8,845     10,639      14,375
    Wool                      11,582    13,788     17,665      19,444
    Silk                       9,232     8,679      8,262       8,509
    Manmade                  108,682   123,027    136,882     155,479
 
  House furnishings           26,803    27,740     30,866      32,854
    Cotton                    19,798    20,585     22,189      23,925
    Linen                        106       152        129         370
    Wool                          67        88         92         269
    Silk                          37         8          8          32
    Manmade                    6,794     6,907      8,447       8,258
 
  Floor covering              21,979    21,444     21,886      22,217
    Cotton                     4,449     2,888      3,800       3,643
    Linen                      2,410     2,406      2,578       2,607
    Wool                       5,911     6,253      5,907       7,182
    Silk                         236       266        263         346
    Manmade                    8,972     9,630      9,338       8,440
 
  Total imports 2/           559,613   609,833    645,318     710,249
    Cotton                   295,252   325,790    343,239     382,384
    Linen                     35,616    34,002     30,578      43,766
    Wool                      21,395    24,072     27,252      31,374
    Silk                      10,190     9,663      9,160       9,581
    Manmade                  197,159   216,305    235,089     243,144
 
Exports:                                  1,000 pounds 1/
 
  Yarn, thread, and fabric   121,258   126,650    127,071     125,315
    Cotton                    45,911    45,324     45,511      43,933
    Linen                      3,372     3,482      3,258       3,550
    Wool                       3,445     3,687      3,846       3,559
    Silk                       1,230     1,455      1,373       1,466
    Manmade                   67,300    72,703     73,082      72,808
 
  Apparel                    124,238   137,203    123,235     119,426
    Cotton                    76,011    84,450     75,445      72,293
    Linen                      2,056     2,303      2,395       1,830
    Wool                       4,445     6,788      5,323       5,435
    Silk                       1,794     2,387      1,880       1,735
    Manmade                   38,932    41,275     38,192      38,133
 
  House furnishings            5,851     5,869      5,926       5,224
    Cotton                     3,484     3,499      3,619       3,139
    Linen                        180       275        271         234
    Wool                          68       102         48          73
    Silk                          87       160         70         159
    Manmade                    2,031     1,832      1,918       1,620
 
  Floor covering              29,929    29,986     28,898      25,789
    Cotton                     2,805     3,347      3,377       2,356
    Linen                      1,256     1,242      1,195       1,102
    Wool                       1,512     1,504      1,449       1,214
    Silk 3/                      ---       ---        ---         ---
    Manmade                   24,356    23,892     22,876      21,117
 
  Total exports 2/           281,585   299,971    285,488     276,034
    Cotton                   128,269   136,669    128,012     121,772
    Linen                      6,877     7,312      7,132       6,725
    Wool                      10,492    12,103     10,694      10,310
    Silk                       3,111     4,001      3,323       3,360
    Manmade                  132,835   139,886    136,327     133,867
----------------------------------------------------------------------
1/ Raw fiber equivalent.  Data for 1996 have been revised.
2/ Includes headgear.  3/ Absence of trade.
 
U.S. COTTON TEXTILE IMPORTS
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         1996                    1995
                             ----------------------------
Country                        Apr        May        Jun          Jun
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   1,000 pounds 1/
 
North America                 99,147   114,936    113,216     107,224
  Canada                       8,787     8,819      9,195       8,029
  Costa Rica                   6,421     7,851      7,345       8,395
  Dominican Republic          11,382    13,504     11,837      13,945
  El Salvador                  6,630     6,895      7,953       7,709
  Guatemala                    5,477     6,519      6,861       7,106
  Haiti                          744       988      1,011         728
  Honduras                    11,960    15,406     15,200      10,437
  Jamaica                      6,296     7,190      5,625       8,236
  Mexico                      38,876    44,714     45,589      40,573
  Nicaragua                    1,949     2,338      2,060         853
 
South America                  9,637     8,773      7,635      10,864
  Argentina                      123        64         45          61
  Brazil                       4,233     3,827      2,949       5,331
  Chile                          550       680        276         446
  Columbia                     2,354     2,369      2,200       2,735
  Peru                         1,705     1,565      1,669       1,667
  Venezuela                       27        35          8         340
 
Europe                        20,420    19,815     22,711      26,745
  Estonia                      1,014       873      1,160       1,081
  France                         549       404        606         505
  Germany                        391       397        413         512
  Italy                        2,657     2,665      2,349       2,607
  Portugal                     1,985     2,625      3,385       3,845
  Russia                         965     1,160      1,245         913
  Spain                        1,196       815      1,556       2,148
  Turkey                       8,492     7,042      8,368      10,647
  United Kingdom                 670       885        851         756
 
Asia                         153,323   170,943    186,419     218,377
  Bahrain                        498       639      1,056       1,328
  Bangladesh                   5,464     9,475      9,246      14,028
  China                       17,522    25,188     29,851      41,691
  Hong Kong                   19,872    25,308     27,051      35,070
  India                       26,551    22,458     24,416      23,156
  Indonesia                    8,081    10,414      9,766      12,212
  Israel                       2,311     1,765      2,043       2,550
  Japan                        1,222     1,253      1,548       1,755
  Macao                        2,634     3,768      4,152       4,991
  Malaysia                     3,466     4,473      4,158       5,455
  Nepal                        1,197     1,265      1,223         719
  Oman                         1,171     1,395      1,524       1,808
  Pakistan                    18,693    21,227     19,839      17,622
  Philippines                  7,885     8,038      9,664      11,400
  Quatar                         608       623      1,161       1,280
  Singapore                    1,754     1,560      2,100       2,749
  South Korea                  5,448     5,803      6,844       7,295
  Sri Lanka                    6,219     5,077      6,308       6,845
  Taiwan                      11,141    11,152     11,626      11,850
  Thailand                     6,248     5,899      6,993       9,170
  U Arab Em                    2,904     2,056      3,338       2,947
 
Oceania                        1,673     1,164      1,615       2,443
  Australia                      979       642        531       1,383
  Fiji                           489       386        827         690
 
Africa                         9,395     8,770     13,788      14,254
  Egypt                        4,929     3,623      4,027       6,192
  Lesotho                        775     1,082      1,144       1,177
  Mauritius                    1,247     1,183      1,568       2,111
  Morocco                        408       619        952       1,038
  South Africa                   747       843        930       1,100
  Tunisia                        216       119        237         897
 
World  2/                    295,252   325,790    343,239     382,384
----------------------------------------------------------------------
1/ Raw fiber equivalent.  2/ Totals may not add due to rounding.
 
U.S. COTTON TEXTILE EXPORTS
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         1996                    1995
                              ---------------------------
Country                         Apr       May        Jun          Jun
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   1,000 pounds 1/
 
North America                 91,809   101,885     95,846      88,411
  Canada                      17,555    18,790     19,685      18,208
  Costa Rica                   5,222     8,426      9,728       6,327
  Dominican Republic          11,102    12,080     10,032      10,963
  El Salvador                  3,227     3,420      2,719       3,953
  Guatemala                    3,390     3,594      3,400       3,295
  Haiti                          687     1,114        987         558
  Honduras                     9,834    11,459     11,700       6,743
  Jamaica                     11,335     9,314      6,409       8,790
  Mexico                      28,408    32,503     30,091      28,396
 
South America                  3,659     5,261      4,520       5,435
  Argentina                      193       763        248         211
  Brazil                         385       372        342       1,177
  Chile                          633       524        556         854
  Columbia                     1,659     2,786      2,320       1,810
  Peru                           155       177        123         327
  Venezuela                      242       297        531         529
 
Europe                        14,722    13,130     12,575      11,363
  Belgium                      4,135     4,073      4,242       3,280
  France                         589       544        497         744
  Germany                      1,224     1,325      1,478       1,188
  Ireland                      2,553       613        768         576
  Italy                          720       663        246         635
  Netherlands                    876     1,001        738         526
  United Kingdom               2,979     2,923      2,843       2,459
 
Asia                          16,030    14,153     12,896      14,394
  China                          217       308        384         275
  Hong Kong                    1,329     1,197      1,092       1,318
  Israel                       1,040       850      1,054       1,508
  Japan                        8,799     6,877      5,700       6,349
  Philippines                    410       701        540         528
  Saudi Arabia                   608       771        459       1,241
  Singapore                      515       596        480         463
  South Korea                    763       818        569       1,057
  Taiwan                         372       304        330         328
  U Arab Em                      642       430        764         207
 
Oceania                        1,122     1,182      1,144         936
  Australia                      706       734        657         635
  New Zealand                    313       275        279         235
 
Africa                           780       892        550         991
  Egypt                           50        40        165          84
  Ghana                           22        33        110          45
  Ivory Coast                     53       181         60          73
  Nigeria                        102        62          8         232
  South Africa                   281       359        266         195
 
World  2/                    128,269   136,669    128,012     121,772
----------------------------------------------------------------------
1/ Raw fiber equivalent.  2/ Totals may not add due to rounding.
 
END-OF-FILE