According to the survey of the cotton crop in June, by the China Cotton Information Website, China's cotton-growing area is expected to be 77.95 million Mu in 2009 (one hectare =15 Chinese Mu), 400,000 Mu less than the May survey, a reduction of 11 million Mu or down 12.4 percent from the survey conducted in 2008.
Total output is expected to be 6.87 million tons, down 30,000 tons from May survey, and less 980,000 tons or 12.5 percent compared with the total output of the survey conducted for the previous year. Planting of the crop was basically over in June, so the production area could be identified basically as well as the crop production.
As of June 30, more than 22 areas in Xinjiang, which is the largest cotton producing area in the country, have suffered floods of varying degrees. An estimated 22.80 million mu of crops were affected, with the other main cotton-producing regions like Hunan, Hubei, Jiangxi and Anhui, being seriously affected.
Fibre2fashion News Desk - China