Cotton Growing Area in China to Fall 8.7 Percent

Cotton growing area in China is expected to fall 8.7 percent in the current season that began on September 1, 2014, compared to the previous season, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Agriculture.

The cotton growing area has dropped by about 14.5 percent and 12.1 percent in the Yellow River Basin and the Yangtze River Basin, respectively, as per the data, Xinhua reported.

Quoting the local agricultural authorities, the Ministry said that area under cotton in the two major cotton growing regions of Hebei and Jiangsu has declined by 16.4 percent and 20 percent, respectively.

Some major cotton growing counties like Pengze and Duchang in Jiangxi Province have also witnessed their area under cotton cultivation drop by at least 10 percent.

Pan Xiufen, a senior agronomist, attributed the decrease in cotton growing area to the Government abolishing its temporary purchase and storage policy and the relatively low profitability of cotton.

The Ministry said that China will continue to be a large consumer of cotton owing to its huge population, increasing incomes, and growing export demand. (RKS)