Cotton Growing in Australia - Industry Market Research Report

Wrapped in cotton wool: Revenue is blooming in the current year after abundant rainfall

Cotton growing farms have endured extreme revenue volatility and fluctuating profit margins, with various external factors influencing industry performance. Substantially below-average rainfall reduced irrigation water availability over the two years through 2019-20, with some cotton growing regions reporting their lowest annual rainfall on record. Drought conditions, reported over most major cotton growing areas, caused industry revenue to plummet over those two years. However, significant increases in rainfall and water availability boosted revenue in the falling two years. Lower rain in 2023-24 has again weighed on industry revenue. Overall, industry revenue has skyrocketed by an annualised 12.1% over the past five years to total $2.8 billion in 2023-24, when revenue will plunge by an estimated 23.8%.

Farms in the industry grow cotton. Cotton is the white downy fibres grown on shrubby plants of the genus Gossypium. Downstream manufacturers use these fibres to make textiles and other products.

This report covers the scope, size, disposition and growth of the industry including the key sensitivities and success factors. Also included are five year industry forecasts, growth rates and an analysis of the industry key players and their market shares.