MORE than 85 per cent of Australia’s cotton crop has now been picked, with growers and cotton gin operators reporting better than expected yields and exceptional quality despite the challenges.
Cotton Australia general manager Michael Murray said indications were that the 2022-23 crop may just fall short of last year’s 5.6 million bales, a record year.
“With good rainfall leading to healthy soil profiles and good water storage results, we had forecast a positive result in 2022 and we achieved some of the best yields on record in some areas,” Mr Murray said.
“That rainfall became a problem in parts of New South Wales and southern Queensland in late 2022 with severe flooding recorded in many growing areas, as well as crop and infrastructure damage. The conditions at that point led to a downgrade in expectations.
“I’m pleased to say that better conditions, including a warmer-than-expected start to 2023, resulted in a boost for growers and the results are now becoming clear.”
The quality of the crop ginned and classed to date was exceptionally high with lint that was white and clean, while also recording good fibre length and strength.
Cotton quality is measured by a variety of factors including the colour, strength and contamination by leaf and other plant matter, staple length, and micronaire, which is a measure of fibre maturity.
Mr Murray said the timing for Australian growers was good with crops processed through gins lining up with the increased shipping capacity as shipments traditionally ramp up through to September.
“Industry forecasts suggest that while US and Brazilian cotton is being traded at significant volumes to some of our trading partners, our cotton is considered to be of the best value when you take into consideration the quality, the lower transportation costs and the turnaround times,” he said.
The crop results come as the growing footprint of cotton in Australia continues to expand as more growers consider cotton in north Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia.
Mr Murray said cotton can grow across a wide geographical range and climatic conditions with scope for growth in many areas north of the Victorian and NSW border.
“We are hearing reports of growers in coastal Queensland locations adding cotton to their rotations and doing very well. And while some areas are considered ideal because of the rainfall and temperatures, cotton can thrive in other conditions and provide a profitable alternative,” he said.
Mr Murray said the global market remained very positive for our cotton overseas.
“We sell every bale we grow, so clearly the global demand is there, and as global economic conditions improve, so too will demand for our cotton which is seen as among the highest quality produced,” he said.
