Cotton Planting Underway with Promising Season Ahead

Planting for the 2025/26 Australian cotton season is now underway, with growers in northern regions already seeing early growth while those in the south await warmer conditions.

According to Cotton Australia, expectations are high for a strong season, with projections indicating over 4 million bales of high-quality fibre and 1.1 million tonnes of cotton seed.

“This year we are expecting about 393,000 green hectares to be planted, predominantly in New South Wales and Queensland,” said Cotton Australia General Manager Michael Murray.

“If expectations are accurate, we will see more than $2.7 billion generated for the national economy.”

Despite a relatively flat global market, Australian cotton remains in demand, with 100% of the crop exported. Recent figures show China, India, Vietnam, Bangladesh and Indonesia among the top buyers.

“We’ve seen prices reach $1000 per bale, though current prices hover around $550. A price of $600 per bale is possible over the next 12 months," Mr Murray said.

In Queensland’s Central Highlands, growers began planting as early as August.

Local grower Ross Burnett says the season is off to a promising start despite water limitations. “We’ve taken a calculated risk to be planting with the limited water we have,” Mr Burnett said, “but we’re hopeful for spring rain to turn things around.”