UK-based Cotton Outlook has raised its forecast for global cotton output in 2017-18 (Aug-Jul) to 24.49 million tonne from 24.40 million tonne projected in April. Higher returns and better yields have encouraged farmers to cultivate more area under the fibre. The agency retained its estimates for global cotton consumption during the year, at 24.45 million tonne. Consequently, global stock levels are now expected to rise by 44,000 tonne, compared with a forecast of a 47,000-tn decline in April.