According to ICAC, world cotton area is expected to increase by 8%to 32.6 million hectares in 2010/11, driven by a significant rise in cottonprices during 2009/10, coinciding with a loss of competitiveness by majoralternative crops and improved planting conditions in some areas. Theexpansion in cotton area expected in 2010/11 will be driven by the UnitedStates. Assuming average weather, the world average yield is forecast toincrease by 4% to 759 kg/ha. World cotton production is projected up by12% to 24.7 million tons.