Jiangxi/Shaanxi 2008 Cotton Acreage Expected to Increase
Source: globecotnews Date: 2008-01-28
Indications are that China's 2008 cotton acreage will expand in the minor cotton-producing provinces of Jiangxi and Shaanxi. According to the Agriculture Department, Jiangxi 2007 cotton acreage increased 2,000 hectares to 90,000 hectares, with the average yield reaching 1,320 kilograms per hectare, a 2-kilogram decline from 2006. 2007 output totaled 119,000 tons, which was very close to 2006 levels, while the average seed cotton price reached 6.0 yuan per kilogram, up 1.0 yuan from 2006. The higher prices have led to the provincial Agriculture Department setting a 2008 target of 150,000 tons.
In Shaanxi Province, 2007 cotton acreage reached 90,000 hectares, producing 94,500 tons. Output is expected to remain strong in 2008, and the province is moving ahead to modernize gins and expect the new-sized bale gins to be in place by 2009.
