Lexi Webster
Australia grows cotton in more than 249 communities across the country, with the major production areas being in New South Wales and Queensland. Australia is a relatively minor global producer of cotton, but it is the third-largest exporter of the crop in a good season. The country's cotton industry employs more than 7,000 people and is known for its high water efficiency, with water-use productivity improving by 52% since 1997.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Global ranking in cotton production | 3rd to 6th largest exporter |
| Global ranking in water efficiency | 1st |
| Number of farms | Up to 1,500 |
| Number of communities | Over 249 |
| Number of people employed | 7,000+ |
| Percentage of family farms | 90% |
| Water efficiency improvement since 1997 | 52% |
| Water efficiency improvement since the 1970s | 240% |
| Annual clothing output | Enough for 500 million people |
| Percentage of agricultural production value in regions where it's grown | 30-60% |
| Yield compared to world average | 300% |
| Major production areas | New South Wales, Queensland |
| Minor production areas | Northern Victoria, Northern Territory, Northern Western Australia |
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What You'll Learn
Cotton is a major Australian crop
Cotton is a major crop in Australia, representing 30–60% of the gross value of total agricultural production in the regions where it is grown. In an average year, Australia's cotton growers produce enough cotton to clothe 500 million people. Australia is a relatively minor global producer, but it is the world's third-to-sixth largest exporter depending on the season.
Cotton is grown in more than 249 regional Australian communities, with up to 1,500 cotton farms across the country. The number of farms fluctuates each year, depending on water availability and farmers' preferences for growing the crop. The major cotton-producing areas include the Central Highlands, Darling Downs, Border Rivers, St George, Mungindi, and Dirranbandi regions of Queensland, and the Gwydir, Namoi, Macquarie, Murrumbidgee, Murray, and Lachlan valleys of New South Wales. Smaller amounts of cotton are also grown in northern Victoria, northern Queensland, northern Western Australia, and the Northern Territory.
Australia's cotton industry is recognised for its water efficiency, with water-use productivity by Australian cotton growers improving significantly over the years, with a 52% increase since 1997. The industry has adopted precision technology to optimise water use and irrigation, combining satellite imagery, digital soil moisture readings, and local weather data to determine water requirements. Australian cotton farmers are increasingly adopting best practices in water management to help conserve water resources.
Cotton is primarily grown in New South Wales and Queensland, with approximately 90% of Australia's cotton businesses being family farms. The Australian cotton industry employs more than 7,000 people and contributes significantly to the country's economy. Northern Australia has the potential to become a significant cotton-producing region, but it faces challenges due to higher temperatures, rainfall, and soils with lower water-holding capacity.
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Australia is the world's third-largest exporter
Australia is a relatively minor cotton producer on a global scale, but it is the world's third-largest exporter of the crop in a good season. Cotton is a major crop in Australia, representing 30-60% of the gross value of total agricultural production in the regions where it is grown. The country's cotton industry employs over 7,000 people and is made up of up to 1,500 cotton farms, 90% of which are family-owned and operated. These farms produce some of the world's highest-yielding and finest quality cotton.
The major cotton-producing areas in Australia are the Central Highlands, Darling Downs, Border Rivers, St George, Mungindi, and Dirranbandi regions of Queensland, and the Gwydir, Namoi, Macquarie, Murrumbidgee, Murray, and Lachlan valleys of New South Wales. Smaller amounts of cotton are grown in northern Victoria, northern Queensland, northern Western Australia, and the Northern Territory.
The Australian cotton industry is recognised as one of the most water-efficient in the world. Water-use productivity by Australian cotton growers has improved by 52% since 1997, and the water used to produce one bale of cotton in 2021 was less than half of that used in 1997. To optimise water use and irrigation, some Australian farmers are using precision technology, such as combining satellite imagery of their cotton crops with digital soil moisture readings and local weather data.
Australia's cotton growing season lasts approximately six months, starting in September/October (planting) and ending in March/April (picking). The country's cotton industry operates under an unregulated market system, with growers having the option to deliver their cotton directly to a processor or have it marketed by an independent merchant.
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Water efficiency improvements
Australia is a relatively minor cotton producer on a global scale, but it is the world's third-largest exporter in a good season. Cotton is grown in more than 249 regional Australian communities, with the major cotton-producing areas being Queensland and New South Wales.
Water is critical to the cotton industry to maximise crop yields and fibre quality. In most Australian cotton-growing regions, crop water demand exceeds the rainfall supply. Irrigation water availability is a limiting factor in cotton production. Water-use efficiency has increased by approximately 240% since the 1970s, and Australian cotton growers are now recognised as the most water-use efficient in the world.
Cotton growers have been focused on improving their irrigation management and water-use efficiency. The water-use productivity by Australian cotton growers has improved by 52% since 1997, and the latest industry research shows that these trends have continued. The industry's Whole Farm Irrigation Efficiency has significantly improved and is now 81% compared to 57% in the late 1990s, indicating that more water is being used by the crop instead of being lost on the farm.
The Smarter Irrigation for Profit project, led by the Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC) under the Australian Government's Rural R&D for Profit program, involves a network of 19 farmer-managed learning sites around Australia. The project found that cotton farmers could achieve a 10 to 20% improvement in water productivity and efficiency by adopting new and existing precision irrigation technologies.
The Cotton Catchment Communities Cooperative Research Centre (Cotton CRC) has set a goal of producing more cotton per unit of water used, given the increasing water scarcity. The average GPWUI (a more meaningful index for comparing water use between farms or seasons) has shown a 40% improvement over the decade.
Additionally, all water used on farms is captured through tail water recycling systems and is reused for subsequent scheduled irrigations. Each grower selects the best and most efficient variety for their region and farm.
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Grown in 249+ Australian communities
Cotton is grown in more than 249 regional Australian communities. Australia is a relatively minor cotton producer on a global scale, but it is the world's third-to-sixth largest exporter, depending on the season. The number of farms growing cotton varies each year, depending on water availability and farmers' crop choices. The Australian cotton industry employs over 7,000 people and is worth up to $3 billion per year in export earnings.
The main cotton-producing areas are in Queensland and New South Wales. In Queensland, these include the Central Highlands, Darling Downs, Border Rivers, St George, Mungindi, and Dirranbandi regions. In New South Wales, cotton is grown in the Gwydir, Namoi, Macquarie, Murrumbidgee, Murray, and Lachlan valleys. Smaller amounts of cotton are grown in northern Victoria, northern Queensland, northern Western Australia, and the Northern Territory.
The Australian cotton industry is known for its high water efficiency, with water-use productivity improving by 52% since 1997. This is due to precision irrigation and water-saving techniques implemented by growers. The industry is also environmentally and ethically responsible, with the myBMP standard recognised as equivalent to the Better Cotton Standard System.
The Australian cotton industry is largely made up of family farms, with approximately 90% of cotton businesses family-owned. These families have often lived and worked in their communities for generations, contributing to local economies and social activities. The cotton industry provides jobs not only on farms but also in industries such as banking, transportation, and merchandising.
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Sustainable practices in the Northern Territory
Australia is a relatively minor cotton producer on a global scale, but it is the world's third-largest exporter in a good season. Cotton is grown in more than 249 Australian communities, with the major production areas being Queensland and New South Wales. Smaller amounts of cotton are grown in northern Victoria, northern Queensland, northern Western Australia, and the Northern Territory.
The Northern Territory (NT) government has been supporting the expansion of cotton farming in the region, touting its economic benefits and potential for creating 2,500 regional and remote jobs by 2030. The NT government also expects the cotton industry to play a significant role in its goal of building a $40 billion economy by the end of the decade.
However, there are concerns about the environmental impact of this expansion, particularly regarding water usage. While the cotton industry in the NT claims that it is not a threat to water resources as most of the crop is grown without irrigation, relying mainly on rainfall, critics argue that the push for irrigation and the acquisition of large water licenses pose a risk to pristine NT sites and water sources. The industry's water efficiency has improved over time, with modern cotton crops using 48% less water than 15 years ago, and the industry as a whole improving water-use productivity by 52% since 1997.
There are also concerns about the lack of consultation with traditional landowners and the potential emotional and physical distress caused by changes in land use. Additionally, legal questions have been raised regarding the legality of growing cotton on pastoral leases in the NT.
To ensure sustainable practices in the NT, it is crucial to balance economic development with environmental responsibility and respect for traditional landowners' rights. This includes careful management of water resources, adherence to government regulations, and transparent communication between industry stakeholders, government entities, and local communities.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, cotton is a major crop in Australia, grown in more than 249 regional Australian communities.
Cotton is primarily grown in New South Wales and Queensland. The major production area in NSW stretches south from the Macintyre River on the Queensland border and covers the Gwydir, Namoi and Macquarie valleys. In Queensland, cotton is grown mostly in the south in the Darling Downs, St George, Dirranbandi and Macintyre Valley regions. Smaller amounts of cotton are grown in northern Victoria, northern Queensland, northern Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
In an average year, Australia’s cotton growers produce enough cotton to clothe 500 million people. Australian lint yields often produce three times the world average yield.
Australia is a small global cotton producer, but the world’s third-largest cotton exporter in a good season. Australia's cotton industry is one of the most water-efficient in the world.
