BOABC estimates that China?s planted cotton acreage and production in 2007/2008 may be 5.829 million ha. and 7.629 million MT, exceeding our Nov. estimates by 364,000 ha. and 250,000 MT respectively.
The changes are based on increased acreage and production in Xinjiang. The latest figures show that Xinjiang?s planted cotton acreage in 2007 is 1.713 million ha., above the State Statistics Bureau?s figure of 1.35 million ha. Xinjiang?s cotton production is estimated to be 2.7 million MT this year, an increase of 24% over last year. Its yield is estimated to be 1.58 MT this year.
Because of the drastic increase in Xinjiang?s cotton production, the nation?s cotton yield is estimated to reach a record high of 1.31 MT.
Xinjiang government plans to stabilize cotton acreage at 1.35 million ha. next year and calls on local governments to give up excessive reliance on acreage expansion in pursuing production increase. This suggests a grave situation for the province to score a higher production next year.
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