As Xinjiang is China's largest cotton production base, the unfavorable factors like warm winter, less snow, low cotton price have led to speculation that Xinjiang will reduce large area of cotton cultivation.

Director of Xinjiang Agriculture Department cotton production service center Ma Xuan said, those factors will not bring impact on Xinjiang's cotton planting area. Xinjiang's cotton acreage in 2007 will basically remain at similar levels as in previous years.

Ma Xuan said, “Now those stabilized areas in Xinjiang are most suitable areas for cotton growing. Therefore, no matter what the grower choses by following the market, cotton planting is the most suitable trade.”

Xinjiang has a long history in cotton planting. The basic principle of agriculture and herd development in Xinjiang is of ‘choosing the most suitable ones among cotton, forest, and pasturage.’

According to the statistics by Xinjiang Development and Reform Commission, Xinjiang's cotton output reached 2.18 million tons in 2006, the highest level in history. The average net profit of cotton cultivation per mu was 378 yuan. (One hectare = 15 Chinese mu)
 
Fibre2fashion, News Desk - China