The Turkish cotton crop for marketing year (MY) 2018/19 is now estimated at 560,000 hectares and 920,000 metric tons - MT (4.2 million bales). While planting was higher than early season estimates, pest damage has taken a major toll in all regions. Excessive rains, cool weather and untimely fumigation stimulated pest attacks, which affected yields adversely. Domestic cotton consumption for MY 2018/19 is expected to decline to about 1.45 million metric tons - MMT (6.6 million bales), as result of the recent economic downturn, compared to 1.62 MMT (7.4 million bales) last marketing year. Cotton imports are also expected to decline to 650,000 MT (2.9 million bales) in MY 2018/19 compared to 876,000 MT (4 million bales) in MY 2017/18.
