Census data shows cotton’s significant economic contribution

Cotton has made a significant contribution to gross crop values, according to the latest data detailing the value of agricultural commodities produced in the nation.

The Namoi Valley, one of the nation’s pre-eminent cotton growing regions, is expected to have played a major role in the industry’s continued success at a national scale.

NSW was the country’s leading cotton producer, with values at $2.8 billion.

At a national scale, cotton was worth almost $4.1 billion to the economy.

The most recent breakdown of agricultural outputs by local government area showed cotton played a major role in Narrabri Shire, worth almost $150 million.

Cotton Australia chief executive officer Adam Kay said the Census data, collated only recently, proves how important cotton is to the future of many communities, including towns in the Namoi Valley cotton growing area, including Narrabri, Boggabri and Wee Waa.

“We have always known that when a cotton grower has a good year, so too does the community they are part of,” Mr Kay said.

“They invest back into their local communities by providing jobs, buying farming essentials like chemicals, diesel, machinery, and fertilisers while also supporting schools and community groups,” Mr Kay said.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics 2021 Agricultural Census also revealed that cotton was grown in 65 local government areas, with more than 75 per cent of cotton grower business expenses spent locally.

Mr Kay said since the Census, many billions have flowed through to the economy, helping communities prosper.

“Last year, we recorded a record crop of 5.6 million bales, with 5 million bales forecast this year. Those 10 million-plus bales equate to approximately $7 billion injected into the Australian economy, with much of it spent locally,” he said.

Results from the 2021 Population Census show that cotton growers support higher Indigenous employment with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment on cotton farms and gins at 6.9 per cent, while the 2022 Indigenous Employment Index Average Indigenous employment rate was 2.2 per cent for surveyed companies, and a parity target figure of 3.3 per cent.

Mr Kay said cotton farmers would hope to boost the employment figures even higher if only they could access more workers for their farms.

“We are working with the federal government to solve the shortage of agricultural workers, and we look forward to filling vacancies as soon as possible,” he said.