COTTON AND WOOL OUTLOOK                                        October 15, 1996
            Approved by the World Agricultural Outlook Board
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COTTON AND WOOL OUTLOOK is issued monthly (except January) by the Economic
Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20005-4788. 
CWS-0996.
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Cotton Crop Forecast Up Slightly
 
The U.S. cotton production forecast totaled 18.2 million bales in October, 2
percent above both the September forecast and last season's crop.  Upland
production is forecast at 17.6 million bales, while the extra-long staple
(ELS) crop is forecast at 567,000 bales.  Historical differences between the
October forecast and final production over the previous 20 years indicate 
chances are two out of three that the 1996 cotton crop will range between 17.4
and 19.0 million bales.
 
The U.S. yield rose 12 pounds per harvested acre from a month earlier to 673
pounds, well above 1995's 537-pound yield.  The higher yield this month
resulted mainly from larger production in Texas and California and a slight
reduction in harvested area.  Meanwhile, this season's ginnings totaled 2.14
million running bales prior to October 1, compared with 2.45 million in 1995
and 2.32 million in 1994.
 
The average condition, as well as the development, of the U.S. cotton crop
remains above last season.  As of October 6, 57 percent of the area was rated
"good" or "excellent," compared with only 33 percent in 1995.  Similarly, 83
percent of the bolls were opening, 2 points ahead of last season and 5 points
above the 5-year average.  However, with a wet September across much of the
Cotton Belt, only 25 percent of the area was harvested by October 6, equal to
the 5-year average but 3 points below last year.
 
The largest production gain occurred in the Southwest, where the crop is
forecast at 4 million bales, 180,000 above September's forecast.  An increase
in Texas more than offset a small decline in Oklahoma.  Data from the
objective yield survey for Texas indicated the highest large boll count and
third highest boll weights during the past 10 years.  Yields in Texas jumped
to 451 pounds per harvested acre, while the region's yield averaged 442
pounds.
 
In the West, California led the way with an increase of 150,000 bales this
month.  Despite the expected gain in production, the objective yield survey
for California showed the lowest large boll count and the third lowest boll
weights since 1986.  Yields in California are forecast at 1,206 pounds per
harvested acre with the West estimated at 1,178 pounds.
 
In the Delta and Southeast, smaller changes occurred.  The Delta is forecast
to produce 5.8 million bales this season with an average yield of 717 pounds
per harvested acre.  Meanwhile, Southeast production is expected to approach
4.5 million bales, indicating a yield of 685 pounds.
 
ELS production is down slightly from September; however, the 1996 crop is
projected 200,000 bales (54 percent) above last year.  The ELS yield is
forecast at a record 1,039 pounds.  Harvest began in the Winter Garden area
while defoliation occurred in the San Joaquin Valley.  The crop in the Trans-
Pecos area approached maturity.
 
Foreign Consumption Lower, Exports Higher This Month
 
While the foreign production outlook for 1996/97 is marginally lower this
month at 69.3 million bales, the biggest changes came in consumption and
exports.  Consumption fell 590,000 bales to 75 million, while exports rose
420,000 bales to 20.7 million.
 
The total net change for 1996/97 foreign production was negligible this month,
but this conceals some large offsetting individual revisions.  The largest was
a 700,000-bale increase in India's expected crop, to 12 million bales.  Both
area and yield prospects have improved, with area now believed to be higher
than 1995/96 in some central producing states where cotton competes with crops
other than grain.
 
China's 1996/97 crop forecast was cut 500,000 bales to 17.5 million due to
widespread reports of poor production.  Area was reduced 200,000 hectares to
4.6 million, the second lowest in the last 33 years.  Pakistan's crop was
reduced 600,000 bales due to late-season damage from white fly and leaf-curl
virus.  At 7.6 million bales, the 1996/97 crop is now expected to be 500,000
bales lower than in 1995/96, despite higher acreage.
 
Foreign 1996/97 Consumption Now 1.4 Percent Above 1995/96
 
Consumption changes this month were less dramatic for individual countries,
but were largely in the same direction, and the net foreign change for 1996/97
was much larger for consumption than production.  In the case of Russia and
China, the reduction extended back to 1995/96.  Updated cloth production data
for Russia in 1995/96 was lower than expected, and the end-of-season slowdown
suggests a poor start for 1996/97.  Thus, the 1996/97 forecast for Russia was
cut 150,000 bales, while 1995/96 is 100,000 bales lower this month.
 
Similarly, China's consumption was cut 200,000 bales in both 1995/96 and
1996/97.  China's consumption for both years is now estimated at 20 million
bales.  Updated information concerning the financial health of China's textile
industry and the proportion of cotton used in yarn production continues to be
pessimistic.
 
The financial health of the textile sector was also a factor in cutting
Pakistan's expected 1996/97 mill consumption 200,000 bales to 6.8 million.
Pakistan's ending stocks in 1995/96 were considerably tighter than during much
of the preceding decade.  With a lower crop, stocks are expected to again
tighten slightly in 1996/97, despite lower exports.  Pakistan's textile
producers were slow to compete with exporters for cotton supplies in 1995/96,
their financial difficulties were exacerbated by the need to buy in a
tightening market, and they are beginning 1996/97 with unusually low cotton
supplies.
 
The foreign export outlook for 1996/97 improved this month, providing some
conformation for the poor U.S. export performance to date.  Central Asian
export prospects rose following indications that shipment delays in 1995/96
have left larger than expected supplies available for export in 1996/97. 
Estimated exports were cut for Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan for
1995/96, and then raised for 1996/97.  Better production prospects in India
and Egypt led to better export prospects this month for 1996/97, and Greek
exports were raised as well.  A smaller crop in Pakistan reduced export
prospects there by 300,000 bales, but overall foreign exports rose
nonetheless. 
 
U.S. Exports Lowered
 
Based on the foreign prospects, U.S. exports were lowered another 400,000
bales this month to 5.8 million bales.  As the United States remains
uncompetitive on the world market, U.S. shipments are expected to fall for the
second consecutive season to the lowest in 4 years.  As of early October
Export Sales, 476,000 bales of cotton had been shipped out of the United
States, compared with 566,000 bales a year ago.  More dramatic, however, are
commitments of only 2.8 million bales thus far in 1996/97, compared with twice
this amount a year ago.  Although much of this difference is attributable to
the absence of step 2 payments, the pace of both export sales and shipments
are expected to improve.  Despite the 24-percent decline in expected exports
in 1996/97, the U.S. share of world trade is forecast to drop only 6
percentage points from last season to 22 percent.
 
U.S. Mill Use Revised; Stocks Increased
 
The 1996/97 cotton mill use estimate was reduced this month to 11 million
bales, reflecting the latest mill consumption report which indicated
preliminary August mill use generally below expectations.  Based on the
preliminary data, August mill use averaged a seasonally adjusted 41,200 480-
pound bales per day, compared with the August 1995 rate of 40,800 bales.
 
On a seasonally adjusted annual rate basis, August consumption equaled 10.7
million bales, similar to a year ago but below the past several months. 
Despite this month's lower forecast, cotton mill use is still projected nearly
4 percent above 1995/96's relatively low stock/high price situation.
 
Based on the revised July data, U.S. cotton mill consumption for 1995/96
totaled 10.604 million bales, 5 percent below 1994/95.  Upland consumption
equaled 10.502 million bales, while ELS mill use reached 102,000 bales. 
Meanwhile, cotton's share of fiber use on the cotton system increased 1
percentage point above 1994/95 to 78.1 percent, the highest since the 1966
season.
 
With this month's revisions to U.S. cotton supply and demand, 1996/97 ending
stocks were raised 25 percent to 4.5 million bales, nearly 2 million above
beginning levels.  Total supply is estimated at 21.3 million bales, including
500,000 in imports, while total offtake is forecast at only 16.8 million
bales, the smallest since 1992/93.  Based on these estimates, the implied
stocks-to-use ratio equals 26.8 percent, well above last season's relatively
low 14.3 percent.
 
Final 1995/96 Supply and Use
 
Final U.S. cotton supply and use data for 1995/96 indicate ending stocks at
2.61 million bales, slightly below beginning levels.  Both U.S. supplies and
use were below 1994/95.  Total supply last season approached 21 million bales,
including 408,000 bales of imported cotton.  Raw cotton imports in 1995/96
were the fifth highest on record and the highest since the 1928/29 season.
 
Total use was also down roughly 230,000 bales from 1994/95.  Domestic mills
used 10.60 million bales in 1995/96, 5 percent below a year earlier.  U.S.
exports fell more dramatically, however, declining 18 percent below 1994's
extraordinary level to 7.68 million bales.  Both U.S. mill use and exports
were dampened by the high U.S. prices experienced in 1995/96.
 
Fiber Prices Mixed
 
The average price received by upland producers through mid-September was 70.9
cents per pound, down a penny from the revised August price.  A year ago, the
September price equaled 75.4 cents.  The upland and ELS spot prices also
declined in September.  Base quality upland slid to 75.2 cents per pound from
76.2 cents, while the ELS price fell over a dime to about $1.09 per pound,  In
September, the average price received by upland producers and the upland spot
price were the lowest since November 1994.
 
Meanwhile, mill-delivered fiber prices were mixed in September.  Cotton prices
rose slightly to 83 cents per pound, rayon was unchanged at $1.15, while
polyester dropped 2 cents to 76 cents per pound.  With cotton mill prices
rising over the last several months, polyester has become more price
competitive.  The cotton/polyester price ratio for September was near 1.17,
compared with 1.12 in both July 1996 and September 1995.
 
U.S. Northern Europe prices rose in September while the A Index declined, thus
increasing the uncompetitiveness of U.S. cotton on the world market.  During
September, the Memphis Territory quotations averaged above 85 cents per pound,
compared with 75 cents for the A Index.  More importantly, however, the U.S.
quotes remain more than 10 cents above the Central Asian quote, the low quote
thus far this season.
 
Textile Imports Rise Sharply in July
 
U.S. textile imports in July reached 784 million pounds (raw-fiber
equivalent), up 21 percent from June and the largest since August 1995. 
Sharply higher apparel imports of cotton and manmade fiber accounted for most
of the increase.  Overall, larger imports of all major fibers and all end-use
categories occurred in July.  Cotton textile imports, at 415 million pounds,
accounted for 53 percent of total textile imports in July.  Increased
shipments from Hong Kong, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Mexico accounted for the
majority of the rise in cotton textile imports.  On a regional basis, cotton
imports from Asia, at 219 million pounds, rose nearly 18 percent from a month
earlier.
 
While textile imports are normally strong in July, exports are typically not. 
In July, textile exports fell 8 percent to 260 million pounds, the lowest
since February.  Declines from June occurred in all end-use categories with
yarn, thread, and fabric accounting for most of the decrease.  Export
shipments of all major fibers except silk were lower in July.  Manmade and
cotton textile exports accounted for 47 and 45 percent, respectively, of the
total.  Although cotton exports fell 8 percent from June to 117 million
pounds, shipments were 15 percent above July 1995.  While U.S. cotton textile
shipments were lower to most of our major markets in North America, exports
where higher to some Asian markets, primarily China and Hong Kong, and Israel.
 
Despite larger imports and a drop in exports in July, the textile trade
deficit for all fibers through the first 7 months of 1996 reached 2.4 billion
pounds, 13 percent lower than the same period in 1995.  Similarly, the cotton
textile trade deficit, at 1.5 billion pounds, was 11 percent below the first 7
months of 1995.  However, cotton's share of the total deficit in 1996 rose to
59.6 percent, compared with 58.2 percent a year earlier.  Lower trade deficits
of all other fibers, especially linen (down 112 million pounds) from a year
ago has increased cotton's share of the overall textile trade deficit.
 
The 1996 Cotton and Wool Yearbook issue will be published in November with
copies available for purchase during the first week of December.  For
information, call 1-800-999-6770.
 
The next Cotton and Wool Outlook (CWS-1096) will be released on December 13.
 
For further information, contact Leslie Meyer at (202) 501-8528 (U.S. Cotton),
Steve MacDonald at (202) 219-1179 (Foreign Cotton), or Robert Skinner at (202)
219-0767 (Textiles and Wool).
 
U.S. COTTON SUPPLY AND USE ESTIMATES
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   1996/97
                                         ----------------------------
Item                          1995/96      Aug        Sep        Oct
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Upland:                                      Million acres
  Planted                      16.72     13.98      13.98       13.98
  Harvested                    15.80     12.73      12.73       12.72
                                                Pounds
  Yield/harvested acre           533       679        653         665
 
                                        Million 480-lb. bales
  Beginning stocks              2.59      2.56       2.56        2.54
  Production                   17.53     18.00      17.33       17.62
    Total supply 1/            20.52     20.95      20.38       20.66
  Mill use                     10.50     10.90      11.10       10.90
  Exports                       7.38      6.19       5.80        5.38
    Total use                  17.88     17.09      16.90       16.27
  Ending stocks                 2.54      3.89       3.48        4.39
                                               Percent
  Stocks-to-use ratio           14.2      22.7       20.6        27.0
  
Extra-long staple:                           1,000 acres
  Planted                        215       264        264         264
  Harvested                      211       262        262         262
                                                Pounds
  Yield/harvested acre           836     1,056      1,052       1,039
 
                                         1,000 480-lb. bales
  Beginning stocks                62        37         37          68
  Production                     368       576        574         567
    Total supply 1/              438       623        621         640
  Mill use                       102       100        100         105
  Exports                        300       410        400         425
    Total use                    402       510        500         530
  Ending stocks                   68       113        121         110
                                               Percent
  Stocks-to-use ratio           16.9      22.2       24.2        20.8
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Based on USDA estimates.  1/ Includes imports.
 
WORLD COTTON SUPPLY AND USE ESTIMATES
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   1996/97
                                        ------------------------------
Item                          1995/96     Aug         Sep        Oct
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Supply:                                 Million 480-lb. bales
Beginning stocks
  World                        29.29     34.33       34.95      35.59
  Foreign                      26.64     31.73       32.35      32.98
Production
  World                        91.48     88.35       87.35      87.46
  Foreign                      73.58     69.77       69.45      69.27
Imports
  World                        26.96     26.57       26.39      26.06
  Foreign                      26.55     26.17       25.89      25.56
Use:
Mill use
  World                        84.58     86.67       86.84      86.05
  Foreign                      73.98     75.67       75.64      75.05
Exports
  World                        27.28     26.73       26.44      26.46
  Foreign                      19.61     20.13       20.24      20.66
Ending stocks
  World                        35.59     35.68       35.22      36.40
  Foreign                      32.98     31.68       31.62      31.90
 
Stocks-to-use ratio                            Percent
  World                         42.1      41.2        40.6       42.3
  Foreign                       44.6      41.9        41.8       42.5
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Based on USDA estimates.
 
FIBER SUPPLY
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          1996                   1995
                               --------------------------
Item                             Jun       Jul        Aug         Aug
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Cotton:                                  1,000 480-lb. bales
  Ginnings                         0         0        351         439
Imports since August 1         205.1     407.6         NA         0.5
  Stocks, beginning            4,538     3,527      2,609       2,650
  At mills                       660       629        628         739
   Public storage              3,513     2,668      1,938       1,809
    CCC stocks                   752       496        331         176
 
Manmade:                                   Million pounds
  Production                   828.7     860.4      841.8       800.4
    Noncellulosic              787.4     822.0      801.2       760.2
    Cellulosic                  41.3      38.4       40.6        40.2
    Total since January 1    4,580.3   5,440.7    6,282.5     6,347.0
 
                                          1996                   1995
                               ---------------------------
                                 May       Jun        Jul         Jul
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Million pounds
  Raw fiber imports             93.7      91.9      101.5        88.4
    Noncellulosic               88.3      85.2       95.3        82.8
    Cellulosic                   5.4       6.7        6.2         5.6
    Total since January 1      440.8     532.7      634.2       640.7
 
Wool and Mohair:                            1,000 pounds
  Raw wool imports, clean      7,011     5,946      5,268       7,291
    48's-and-finer             5,232     4,664      3,493       5,332
    Not-finer-than-46's        1,779     1,282      1,775       1,959
    Total since January 1     40,163    46,109     51,377      58,839
 
  Wool top imports               429       506        172         298
    Total since January 1      1,733     2,239      2,411       3,009
  Mohair imports, clean            2         0         36           7
    Total since January 1          7         9         43          17
----------------------------------------------------------------------
NA = Not available.
 
COTTON SYSTEM FIBER CONSUMPTION
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          1996                   1995
                              ---------------------------
Item                             Jun       Jul        Aug         Aug
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Cotton:                                  1,000 480-lb. bales
All consumed by mills 1/         862       868        970       1,000
  Total since August 1 1/      9,736    10,604        970       1,000
  SA annual rate 2/           11,114    10,873     10,743      10,685
  SA daily rate 2/              42.4      41.5       41.2        40.8
  Daily rate                    43.1      37.7       44.1        43.5
 
Upland consumed by mills 1/      853       859        960         991
  Total since August 1 1/      9,635    10,495        960         991
  SA annual rate 2/           10,995    10,776     10,629      10,588
  SA daily rate 2/              42.0      41.1       40.7        40.4
  Daily rate                    42.6      37.3       43.7        43.1
 
Spindles in place              6,272     6,232      6,214       6,845
  Active spindles              5,737     5,660      5,674       6,400
    100 percent cotton         2,674     2,664      2,648       2,763
    100 percent manmade        1,033       986        986       1,090
    Blends                     2,030     2,010      2,040       2,547
                                             Percent
Cotton's share of fibers        77.4      77.4       77.5        77.7
 
Manmade:                                    1,000 pounds
Total consumed by mills 1/   120,932   121,710    135,445     137,450
  Total since August 1 1/  1,309,367 1,431,078    135,445     137,450
  Daily rate                   6,047     5,292      6,157       5,976
    Noncellulosic staple       5,161     4,654      5,436       5,188
    Cellulosic staple            886       638        721         788
----------------------------------------------------------------------
1/ Adjusted to calendar month.  2/ SA = seasonally adjusted.
 
FIBER EXPORTS
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         1996                     1995
                               --------------------------
Item                             May       Jun        Jul          Jul
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Cotton:                                  1,000 480-lb. bales
  Upland exports                 329       252        162         271
    Total since August 1       6,962     7,214      7,375       8,978
  Sales for next season           48       165        165         369
    Total since August 1         461       626        791       3,958
 
  ELS exports                   13.2      11.7       21.4        29.5
    Total since August 1       266.6     278.3      299.7       423.7
  Sales for next season         10.5       8.8       11.4        10.9
    Total since August 1       162.2     171.0      182.5       171.7
 
Manmade:                                   Million pounds
  Raw fiber exports             93.1      88.8       73.4        68.8
    Noncellulosic               84.5      82.1       67.6        63.3
    Cellulosic                   8.6       6.7        5.8         5.5
    Total since January 1      451.1     539.8      613.2       557.0
 
Wool and Mohair:                           1,000 pounds
  Raw wool exports, clean      506.9     494.4      415.6       438.7
   Total since January 1     1,872.1   2,366.5    2,782.1     4,519.5
  Wool top exports             739.9     643.1      719.1     1,059.1
    Total since January 1    4,211.6   4,854.7    5,573.8     6,751.9
 
  Mohair exports, clean        129.9     494.3      234.8       101.8
    Total since January 1    2,111.6   2,605.9    2,840.8     2,503.8
----------------------------------------------------------------------
 
FIBER PRICES
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          1996                   1995
                              -----------------------------
Item                            Jul       Aug        Sep          Sep
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Domestic cotton prices:                    Cents per pound
  Adjusted World Price         64.39     61.64      60.46       76.48
  Oct'96 futures               72.67     73.17      74.33       78.69
  Dec'96 futures               73.35     73.78      75.42       75.94
  Upland spot 41-34            76.84     76.15      75.24       90.00
  Pima spot 03-46             133.74    118.55     108.65      137.38
  Avg. price received by:
    Upland producers           76.20     71.90      70.90       75.40
 
  Mill delivered:
    Cotton
      Actual                   82.18     82.61      82.99       96.34
      Raw fiber equivalent     91.31     91.79      92.21      107.04
    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      76.00       92.00
      Raw fiber equivalent     81.25     81.25      79.17       95.83
 
    Price ratios                               Percent
      Cotton/rayon              76.2      76.6       77.0        82.2
      Cotton/polyester         112.4     113.0      116.5       111.7
 
Northern Europe cotton quotes:            Cents per pound
  A Index                      79.68     76.29      75.45       91.20
  Memphis Territory               NQ     82.80      85.38       98.13
  California/Arizona           83.50     83.55      85.75      103.13
  B Index                      74.04     74.38      74.83       89.21
  Orleans/Texas                81.19     79.60      81.94       94.13
 
Wool prices (clean):                      Dollars per pound
 U.S. 56's                      1.30      1.30       1.30        1.58
  Australian 56's 1/            1.82      1.84       1.80        2.23
 U.S. 60's                      1.55      1.55       1.55        1.93
  Australian 60's 1/            1.94      1.95       1.87        2.37
 U.S. 64's                      1.92      1.92       1.92        2.35
  Australian 64's 1/            2.36      2.34       2.28        2.66
----------------------------------------------------------------------
NQ = No quotes.
1/ In bond, Charleston, SC.
 
1996 ACREAGE, YIELD, AND PRODUCTION ESTIMATES
-------------------------------------------------------------------
 
State/          Harvested Area          Yield         Production
Region           Sep      Oct       Sep      Oct     Sep       Oct
-------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        Lbs./           1,000
                 1,000 acres       harvested acre       bales
 
Upland:
  Alabama        556      556       639      699     740       810
  Florida        100      100       672      672     140       140
  Georgia      1,375    1,375       698      698   2,000     2,000
  N. Carolina    735      720       679      633   1,040       950
  S. Carolina    265      265       743      725     410       400
  Virginia       102      102       706      706     150       150
    Southeast  3,133    3,118       686      685   4,480     4,450
 
  Arkansas       990      990       742      742   1,530     1,530
  Louisiana      940      940       705      684   1,380     1,340
  Mississippi  1,030    1,030       764      778   1,640     1,670
  Missouri       405      405       699      723     590       610
  Tennessee      520      520       600      600     650       650
    Delta      3,885    3,885       715      717   5,790     5,800
 
  Kansas           2        2       311      311       1         1
  Oklahoma       240      240       340      300     170       150
  Texas        4,100    4,100       427      451   3,650     3,850
    Southwest  4,342    4,342       422      442   3,821     4,001
 
  Arizona        324      324     1,200    1,170     810       790
  California     995      995     1,134    1,206   2,350     2,500
  New Mexico      54       54       667      720      75        81
    West       1,373    1,373     1,131    1,178   3,235     3,371
 
Total Upland  12,733   12,718       653      665  17,326    17,622
 
Pima:
  Arizona         40       40       818      818      68        68
  California     165      165     1,207    1,193     415       410
  New Mexico      17       17       678      734      24        26
  Texas           40       40       804      756      67        63
 
Total Pima       262      262     1,052    1,039     574       567
 
Total All     12,995   12,980       661      673  17,900    18,189
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Based on the October Crop Production report.
 
TEXTILE TRADE
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         1996                    1995
                            -----------------------------
Item                             May       Jun       Jul          Jul
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Imports:                                   1,000 pounds 1/
 
  Yarn, thread, and fabric   173,257   166,610    176,785     175,082
    Cotton                    72,479    68,048     74,044      74,564
    Linen                     22,557    17,213     15,786      30,196
    Wool                       3,804     3,373      3,667       3,415
    Silk                         709       627        746         696
    Manmade                   73,709    77,348     82,543      66,212
 
  Apparel                    380,229   419,056    541,578     517,431
    Cotton                   225,891   245,609    309,572     287,921
    Linen                      8,845    10,639     15,509      17,495
    Wool                      13,788    17,665     26,525      25,625
    Silk                       8,679     8,262      9,922       9,940
    Manmade                  123,027   136,882    180,050     176,450
 
  House furnishings           27,740    30,866     33,939      35,637
    Cotton                    20,585    22,189     23,940      25,259
    Linen                        152       129        170         304
    Wool                          88        92        183         231
    Silk                           8         8         24          52
    Manmade                    6,907     8,447      9,622       9,792
 
  Floor covering              21,444    21,886     23,328      22,411
    Cotton                     2,888     3,800      3,025       3,745
    Linen                      2,406     2,578      2,877       2,965
    Wool                       6,253     5,907      6,334       7,700
    Silk                         266       263        276         469
    Manmade                    9,630     9,338     10,815       7,532
 
  Total imports 2/           609,833   645,318    783,943     758,150
    Cotton                   325,790   343,239    414,712     394,638
    Linen                     34,002    30,578     34,392      51,063
    Wool                      24,072    27,252     37,026      37,356
    Silk                       9,663     9,160     10,969      11,157
    Manmade                  216,305   235,089    286,845     263,936
 
Exports:                                  1,000 pounds 1/
 
  Yarn, thread, and fabric   126,650   127,071    107,712     102,193
    Cotton                    45,324    45,511     38,683      34,363
    Linen                      3,482     3,258      2,900       2,077
    Wool                       3,687     3,846      2,723       2,788
    Silk                       1,455     1,373      1,313       1,256
    Manmade                   72,703    73,082     62,093      61,709
 
  Apparel                    137,203   123,235    118,045     104,422
    Cotton                    84,450    75,445     71,145      61,191
    Linen                      2,303     2,395      2,188       1,760
    Wool                       6,788     5,323      5,824       4,544
    Silk                       2,387     1,880      2,124       1,621
    Manmade                   41,275    38,192     36,764      35,306
 
  House furnishings            5,869     5,926      5,352       4,998
    Cotton                     3,499     3,619      3,207       3,149
    Linen                        275       271        224         200
    Wool                         102        48         52          60
    Silk                         160        70        135         133
    Manmade                    1,832     1,918      1,734       1,457
 
  Floor covering              29,986    28,898     28,527      24,067
    Cotton                     3,347     3,377      3,457       2,391
    Linen                      1,242     1,195      1,123       1,047
    Wool                       1,504     1,449      1,385       1,490
    Silk 3/                      ---       ---        ---         ---
    Manmade                   23,892    22,876     22,563      19,138
 
  Total exports 2/           299,971   285,488    260,024     236,022
    Cotton                   136,669   128,012    116,564     101,151
    Linen                      7,312     7,132      6,450       5,095
    Wool                      12,103    10,694     10,007       8,903
    Silk                       4,001     3,323      3,571       3,010
    Manmade                  139,886   136,327    123,432     117,862
----------------------------------------------------------------------
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                         May       Jun        Jul          Jul
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   1,000 pounds 1/
 
North America                114,936   113,216     128,272    102,448
  Canada                       8,819     9,195       9,006      6,178
  Costa Rica                   7,851     7,345       7,253      7,574
  Dominican Republic          13,504    11,837      14,071     13,851
  El Salvador                  6,895     7,953       8,141      7,679
  Guatemala                    6,519     6,861       7,388      6,423
  Haiti                          988     1,011       1,278        822
  Honduras                    15,406    15,200      17,922     10,753
  Jamaica                      7,190     5,625       7,621      6,819
  Mexico                      44,714    45,589      52,217     40,049
  Nicaragua                    2,338     2,060       2,761      1,474
 
South America                  8,773     7,635       8,682     10,002
  Argentina                       64        45           4        313
  Brazil                       3,827     2,949       3,440      4,617
  Chile                          680       276         412        517
  Columbia                     2,369     2,200       2,315      2,423
  Peru                         1,565     1,669       2,005      1,611
  Venezuela                       35         8          28        220
 
Europe                        19,815    22,711      22,081     29,785
  Estonia                        873     1,160         652      1,380
  France                         404       606         529        585
  Germany                        397       413         475        712
  Italy                        2,665     2,349       3,008      2,866
  Portugal                     2,625     3,385         589      4,447
  Russia                       1,160     1,245         777      1,583
  Spain                          815     1,556       1,297      2,624
  Turkey                       7,042     8,368      10,524     10,412
  United Kingdom                 885       851         873        991
 
Asia                         170,943   186,419     219,286    233,582
  Bahrain                        639     1,056       1,323      1,469
  Bangladesh                   9,475     9,246      15,116     15,438
  China                       25,188    29,851      32,657     44,914
  Hong Kong                   25,308    27,051      35,014     35,204
  India                       22,458    24,416      27,565     27,019
  Indonesia                   10,414     9,766      13,947     11,653
  Israel                       1,765     2,043       2,107      2,682
  Japan                        1,253     1,548       1,520      1,645
  Macao                        3,768     4,152       5,311      5,908
  Malaysia                     4,473     4,158       4,710      4,723
  Nepal                        1,265     1,223       1,565        583
  Oman                         1,395     1,524       1,569      2,047
  Pakistan                    21,227    19,839      19,691     19,073
  Philippines                  8,038     9,664       9,844     11,341
  Quatar                         623     1,161       1,476        949
  Singapore                    1,560     2,100       2,344      3,269
  South Korea                  5,803     6,844       7,047      8,078
  Sri Lanka                    5,077     6,308       9,141      8,340
  Taiwan                      11,152    11,626      12,500     13,425
  Thailand                     5,899     6,993       8,686      9,333
  U Arab Em                    2,056     3,338       2,989      3,061
 
Oceania                        1,164     1,615       1,761      3,005
  Australia                      642       531         732      1,639
  Fiji                           386       827         728      1,059
 
Africa                         8,770    13,788      12,363     12,924
  Egypt                        3,623     4,027       5,286      6,210
  Lesotho                      1,082     1,144       1,319      1,225
  Mauritius                    1,183     1,568       1,908      1,809
  Morocco                        619       952         795        771
  South Africa                   843       930       1,451        741
  Tunisia                        119       237         105        369
 
World  2/                    325,790   343,239     414,712    394,638
----------------------------------------------------------------------
1/ Raw fiber equivalent.  2/ Totals may not add due to rounding.
 
U.S. COTTON TEXTILE EXPORTS
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         1996                    1995
                              ---------------------------
Country                          May       Jun       Jul          Jul
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   1,000 pounds 1/
 
North America                101,885    95,846      86,584     72,060
  Canada                      18,790    19,685      13,153     12,513
  Costa Rica                   8,426     9,728       6,079      5,338
  Dominican Republic          12,080    10,032      10,326      9,221
  El Salvador                  3,420     2,719       2,854      3,151
  Guatemala                    3,594     3,400       3,885      2,931
  Haiti                        1,114       987         879        398
  Honduras                    11,459    11,700      11,220      7,368
  Jamaica                      9,314     6,409       5,652      7,052
  Mexico                      32,503    30,091      31,532     23,256
 
South America                  5,261     4,520       3,721      4,534
  Argentina                      763       248         226        293
  Brazil                         372       342         557        957
  Chile                          524       556         439        806
  Columbia                     2,786     2,320       1,485      1,133
  Peru                           177       123         225        245
  Venezuela                      297       531         291        518
 
Europe                        13,130    12,575       9,815      8,831
  Belgium                      4,073     4,242       1,872      2,346
  France                         544       497         459        471
  Germany                      1,325     1,478       1,505        808
  Ireland                        613       768          97        330
  Italy                          663       246         218        612
  Netherlands                  1,001       738         714        448
  United Kingdom               2,923     2,843       3,223      2,225
 
Asia                          14,153    12,896      21,645     13,287
  China                          308       384       1,367        492
  Hong Kong                    1,197     1,092       1,382      1,278
  Israel                         850     1,054       2,053      1,529
  Japan                        6,877     5,700       5,711      5,957
  Philippines                    701       540         317        402
  Saudi Arabia                   771       459         546        652
  Singapore                      596       480         614        596
  South Korea                    818       569         604        866
  Taiwan                         304       330         502        240
  U Arab Em                      430       764         427        345
 
Oceania                        1,182     1,144         835      1,249
  Australia                      734       657         585        809
  New Zealand                    275       279         192        371
 
Africa                           892       550       1,425        876
  Egypt                           40       165         125          2
  Ghana                           33       110          26         14
  Ivory Coast                    181        60          93         32
  Nigeria                         62         8          82        504
  South Africa                   359       266         337        132
 
World  2/                    136,669   128,012     116,564    101,151
----------------------------------------------------------------------
1/ Raw fiber equivalent.  2/ Totals may not add due to rounding.
 
END-OF-FILE