Cotton production in India is expected to rise to a record 4.7 million tones while the world cotton production is forecast at 25.2 million tonne for 2007-08.

According to data from the International Cotton Advisory Committee, the cotton production globally the coming year remains unchanged compared to 2006-07.

The Committee is an association of 42 governments of cotton producing and consuming countries.

The estimate says cotton production in India is expected to increase to a record 4.7 million tonne.

Production in the US is lower by 10 per cent to 4.3 million tonne while that in China (Mainland) is expected to decline slightly to 6.5 million tonne, still the second largest up to date.

World cotton consumption is projected to increase by 2 per cent to 26.7 million tonne in 2007-08, still driven by Chinese mill use.

International cotton trade is expected to rebound from 8.5 million tonne in 2006-07 to 9.2 million tonne in 2007-08, driven by an expected rebound in Chinese imports.

World cotton ending stocks are forecast down by 5 per cent to 11.3 million tonne in 2006-07 and by 10 per cent to 10.1 million tonne in 2007-08.