Cotton Competition. U. S. and Egypt, 1929-1948

Abstract

Cotton production in Egypt has never been large relative to U. S. production. Egypt's ability to grow either a long-staple cotton suitable for the manufacture of very fine cotton goods or, alternatively, a medium-staple cotton which is a substitute for American cotton gives her production, however, a flexibility which statistics on total production do not indicate. In the absence of any appreciable American production of long-staple cotton, American manufacturers of cotton sewing thread and fine cotton goods must obtain their raw material largely from Egypt. By shifting acreage from the long-staple varieties to mediumlength staples, Egypt might significantly increase the world supply of the medium-staple cotton which the American farmer also sends to the world market.