Changing Dynamics of Global Cotton Trade
K. T. Devikarani *
Department of Agricultural and Rural Management (ARM), Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore, India.
K. Mahendran
Department of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai, TNAU, India.
K. R. Ashok
Centre for Agricultural and Rural Development Studies (CARDS), TNAU, Coimbator, India.
N. Venkatesa Palanichamy
Department of Agricultural and Rural Management (ARM), Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This article discusses about the changes in the cotton production, consumption, stocks, exports and imports between countries over the years and the possible reasons leading to the observed changes. This helps researchers to have a glimpse of what have happened in the past with respect to global cotton scenario. The understanding of the changes in global cotton trade helps in making assumptions used to predict future production or price. The main factors determining the cotton trade are labour charges, adoption of technological developments in cotton processing, trade relationship between major cotton producers and consuming countries and government policies within the country.
Keywords: Global cotton trade, area harvested, production, stocks, exports, imports