September 28, 2012

China's cotton output to reach seven million tonnes

China's cotton production is estimated to reach 6.97 million tonnes in 2012, a drop of 4.15% from 2011.

The latest estimate represents a slightly increase from the association's last estimate of 6.79 million tonnes made a month earlier due to improving growth conditions of the cotton crop in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the largest cotton production base in China.

Xinjiang's cotton areas saw favorable weather last month while rainy weather in other major producing regions affected cotton growth to some extent.

Xinjiang is anticipated to reap bumper harvests of cotton this year and the crop will hit the market on a large scale in late September.

The China Cotton Association (CCA).earlier estimated China's cotton planting area at 4.88 million hectares in 2012, down 8.8% from last year.