Instability troubles Chinese cotton output

Chinese farmers are less interested in sowing cotton and prefer to plant food crops, despite better incomes from cotton.

The main reason being that, cotton consumes extra time and money compared to food crops. Secondly, the state provides more subsidies for food crops compared to cotton.

China has a long history in cotton production and is currently is the world's largest cotton-producing country.

China’s annual planting area in the current season stood at about 80 million Mu (One hectare = 15 Mu) and cotton output is about 6 million tons.

China is also the world's largest cotton consuming country, with annual consumption reaching about 10 million tons, which leaves a consumption gap of around 4 million tons.

China’s cotton acreage has declined in recent years and coupled with extreme weather, cotton output too has decreased rapidly.