American Pima cotton exports hit their third highest mark on record in the 1999/2000 marketing year with 447,000 bales shipped, while global Extra-Long Staple (ELS) cotton exports reached 1.2 million (480-lb.) bales, the highest total in six years. Total ELS cotton consumption dropped slightly in 1999/2000 – 1% – because domestic mill use of ELS cotton fell by 10%. Most of the decrease can be attributed to Egypt, which consumed 650,000 bales of its own long staple and ELS cotton in 1999/2000, compared to 856,000 bales (480-lb.) the previous marketing season. ELS cotton importing countries like Indonesia, Taiwan, Italy, Switzerland, Pakistan, South Korea, India, Bangladesh and Thailand all increased their purchases in the 1999/2000 season. The U.S. and Egypt accounted for 77% of global ELS cotton trade. And despite a 5% cut in world ELS cotton supply this marketing season, exports are expected to increase for the second straight year as consumer demand for better quality apparel and home textile products continues.