National Cotton Council economists point to a few key factors that will shape the U.S. cotton industry’s 2021 economic outlook. This past year was characterized by significant uncertainty and volatility in both the global economy and the world cotton market. The most challenging issue facing the global cotton market in 2020 was the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic caused unprecedented disruptions in the supply chains and markets for the U.S. and world cotton and textile industries during the first half of 2020. The pandemic devastated textile supply chains as retail outlets shuttered their doors for months. As the collapse in cotton demand persisted throughout 2020, the negative impacts were felt across the U.S. cotton industry. Dr. Jody Campiche, Vice President of Economics and Policy Analysis for the National Cotton Council, joins us with her report from the NCC’s recent Annual Meeting.