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 Cotton is a natural, durable fibre that allows the skin to breath, is sun-resistant and can be easily dyed.
Known for its softness and hypo-allergenic qualities, cotton is processed into clothing, sheets, towels, bandages and cotton buds. Lesser-known uses of cotton include bank notes, margarine, paper, soap, waterproofing products and X-rays.
Cottonseed, stalks and lint
Cottonseed is sold as a by-product. It is crushed and refined to produce cooking oil, margarine, cosmetics and soap, as well as plastics, explosives and insecticides.
The stalk is processed into ethanol for petrol and diesel blends as well as mulch for soil. Cotton lint is used to clean up oil slicks.
Highly productive cotton growers
Although in world terms, Australia is a relatively small cotton producer, Australia’s cotton crop has a very high average yield, producing one and a half times the amount per hectare than China (largest grower) and more than double the cotton per hectare than the USA (second-largest grower).
The cotton industry in Australia was the first Australian industry to use genetically modified crop varieties. Ingard, a genetically modified strain of cotton, has been grown in Australia since 1996, significantly reducing the need for insecticides.
Scientists are investigating how to grow cotton strains that require less water and have improved fibre qualities, such as increased flame resistance and reduced wrinkling.
General information
Export markets
Australia’s main export markets are China, Indonesia, Thailand, South Korea and Japan. In 2003-04, Australia exported 32 per cent of cotton produced to China and 17 per cent to Indonesia.
Exports
Over 90 per cent of cotton crown in Australia is exported to spinning mills throughout Asia as Australia does not have a significant textile production industry. In 2003-04, Australia exported 459kt of cotton with a value of A$982 million.
Growers
Australia has approximately 1500 cotton growers. Grown in both irrigated and dryland systems, about seven per cent of Australia’s cotton is produced in New South Wales.
(Source: Stocktake, Australian Agriculture and Food Sector, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry)
For more information please visit:
www.affa.gov.au - Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
www.austcottonshippers.com.au - Australian Cotton Shippers Association
www.cottonaustralia.com.au - Cotton Australia
www.crdc.com.au - Cotton Research and Development Corporation
www.icac.org - International Cotton Advisory Committee |