ABSTRACT
The world cotton outlook for the balance of the 1980's points to an improved supply-demand balance and reduced stocks. Competitive cotton prices are expected to further boost consumption to 80-85 million bales by 1990. With higher yields, production also is likely to trend up, about matching consumption by 1990. Global stocks are projected to be worked down to a more normal level during the next few years. With 1987/88 U.S. disappearance again expected to exceed production, U.S. stocks next season will likely decline closer to the 4-million-bale level specified in the Food Security Act of 1985. Longer-term prospects indicate a fairly close balance between U.S. output and use in the 12-15-million-bale range.
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