The 15-percent main in world cotton consumption from 1984/85 to 1986/87 resulted from consumers in the industrialized countries making up for purchases that were deferred during 1974/75 to 1984/85. The increase was also caused by a shift in consumer preferences toward cotton. World income growth until 2000 is likely to above the average rate of growth during 1974-84, and the change in consumer preferences in favor of cotton is likely to be enduring. Consequently, world cotton consumption is likely to continue growing faster than it did during the 1970's.