Over 50 square kilometers of cotton fields are producing a bountiful harvest season at a town in Toksun county of Turpan, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
SHANGHAI: Cotton output in Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region reached nearly 5.69 million tonnes in 2024, up 574,000 tonnes over the previous year, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The autonomous region contributed 92.2% of the country’s total cotton output this year, hitting a record high.
The cotton planting area in Xinjiang was nearly 2.45 million ha in 2024, marking an increase of 3.3% from the previous year, according to the NBS.
The cotton yield in Xinjiang marked an increase of 7.6% year-on-year. The adoption of modern agricultural machinery has further accelerated output.
According to data from the Xinjiang Cotton Association, the mechanisation rate of cotton planting in Xinjiang has reached 100%, while the mechanical harvesting rate stands at approximately 90%.
Since the 1990s, Xinjiang has gradually become the largest cotton production base in China.
Cotton-related industries, including planting, processing and spinning, have become vital pillars for improving local livelihoods.
China’s cotton production topped 6.16 million tonnes in 2024, a nearly 10% increase year-on-year. — Xinhua
