ABSTRACT

Exports are vital to the U.S. cotton industry. U.S. exports are rising from record to record since 2001/02. However, over the last decade, the average quality of the U.S. upland cotton did not improve, while quality requirements on export markets are constantly increasing. Improvements in fiber quality would help U.S. cotton to remain competitive with cotton from other countries as well as chemical fibers worldwide. Yet, the market is not sending the right signals to U.S. producers.