UK-based Cotton Outlook has raised its forecast for global cotton output in 2017-18 (Aug-Jul) to 24.72 million tonne from 24.49 million tonne projected in May. Output in the coming season is projected to be higher mainly due to increased crop in Brazil and Turkey. The agency has also increased its estimates for global cotton consumption during the year, to 24.55 million tonne from 24.45 million tonne in the previous month. Consequently, global stock levels are now expected to rise to 173,000 tonne, compared with a forecast of 44,000 tonne in May.