WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD NEWS) — Domestic cotton consumption by U.S. textile mills declined sharply in 2025, underscoring the continued shift away from domestic fiber processing even as American cotton production remains heavily export-dependent.
USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service reported extra-long staple cotton consumption totaled just 1.20 million pounds during 2025, down 74 percent from the previous year. The Cotton System Consumption and Stocks report tracks fiber use by U.S. spinning mills, providing one of the clearest indicators of domestic textile demand.
Operationally, mill capacity changed little. Cotton-system spindle counts remained largely steady throughout the year, suggesting processing infrastructure still exists but is operating with limited cotton utilization rather than expanding activity.
Market dynamics indicate that synthetic fibers are dominating the manufacturing input market. Polyester staple consumption reached more than 218 million pounds during 2025, far exceeding cotton usage levels and highlighting long-term substitution toward man-made fibers in apparel and industrial textiles.
Looking ahead, the data reinforce a structural reality for producers: U.S. cotton demand depends primarily on export markets rather than domestic mills, leaving prices increasingly tied to global textile demand and international trade conditions.
