The United States had smaller cotton area than the year before in 1996/97, as grain prices soared, but yields and production rose, as did consumption. Exports fell, and ending stocks remained virtually unchanged. Foreign cotton area and production fell in 1996/97, largely because of China, while foreign consumption grew for the second consecutive year. In 1997/98, U.S. cotton plantings are expected to range between 13.2 and 14.2 million acres, but more normal abandonment may mean a harvested area closer to the year before. U.S. cotton consumption and exports are expected to increase slightly in 1997/98, while ending stocks are largely steady. Foreign cotton production could rise slightly in 1997/98, and consumption is expected to continue to grow. In the long run, foreign production and consumption are expected to continue surpassing their negligible growth rates of the last 10 years. World trade is expected to grow slowly between 1998/99 and 2002/03, and U.S. exports will may average between 7 and 7.5 million bales annually. With domestic mill consumption rising modestly, U.S. cotton area would only need to range between 13.5 and 14.5 million acres.