Rural
13 October, 2025
Cottoning into strong season
COTTON planting is underway across much of Australia, marking the start of the 2025–26 season for the nation’s 1,500 cotton growers — 90 per cent of whom are family farmers.
With early crops already sprouting in Queensland and the Northern Territory, and southern growers preparing to begin once temperatures rise, industry experts are predicting a strong year ahead.
Cotton Australia General Manager Michael Murray said the outlook was “positive,” with growers expecting to produce 4 million bales — about 910,000 tonnes of premium fibre and 1.1 million tonnes of cotton seed — generating more than $2.7 billion for the national economy.
“Most of that money filters down into the 249 communities that benefit directly from cotton growing,” Mr Murray said.
Around 393,000 hectares are expected to be planted across Queensland and New South Wales, with additional crops in Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
October remains the key planting month, though timelines vary depending on climate — with some northern regions picking and planting in the same month.
The global outlook for cotton is steady. Although prices have softened to around $550 per bale, Mr Murray said demand for Australian cotton remains strong thanks to its reputation for quality and its proximity to key markets.
“We export everything we produce, and thankfully demand is still strong,” he said.
In July, China imported 26 per cent of Australian cotton, followed by India (19 per cent), Vietnam (15 per cent), and Bangladesh and Indonesia (13 per cent each).
Across Queensland’s major cotton regions, conditions are varied but largely favourable.
In the Central Highlands, planting began in August with healthy growth reported despite limited water allocations.
Emerald grower Ross Burnett said farmers were “hedging their bets” on spring rain.
“We have taken a calculated risk to plant with the limited water we have,” he said.
“If we get enough rain by November or December, things can turn around quite quickly.”
Further south, full allocations have boosted confidence in the Dawson and Callide Valleys, while Darling Downs growers are waiting for warmer soil temperatures before planting the region’s expected 48,000 hectares.
In Northern NSW, winter rain delayed preparation, but with storages near capacity, most growers are now gearing up to plant by mid-October.
Meanwhile, northern regions are looking ahead to a strong wet-season start.
In the Northern Territory and Far North Queensland, planting windows open in December, with around 10,000 hectares expected in the NT and up to 5,000 hectares in FNQ.
While water availability remains a concern in parts of Queensland and southern NSW, Mr Murray said the overall sentiment among growers is optimistic.
“Our growers remain positive — the early signs are good, and conditions in many regions are promising,” he said.
With Australian cotton continuing to earn global praise for its sustainability and quality, the industry is poised for another productive and resilient season.
