In recent years, weather problems have reduced the attraction of cotton as a choice of crop in Jiangsu Province. Total planted acreage in 2007 has been estimated at only 345,000 hectares, which is down 2.8 percent from year-ago levels and the lowest acreage since 2002 when 312,000 hectares were planted. Production in the province has ranged from 246,000 to 503,000 tons, with much of the volatility in output being linked to weather conditions. The province's coastal location has subjected it to rather unstable weather patterns, and this year has been no different. The acreage planted to cotton may have been even lower than originally forecast.

In Yancheng County, the largest cotton-growing region in Jiangsu Province, accounting for 47.8 percent of planted acreage, the crop got off to a very good start and enjoyed perfect weather up until June 21; but since that time, rather wet, rainy weather has prevailed with blight being a major problem. The Yancheng Agriculture and Forest Administration reported that the county planted 165,000 hectares to cotton in 2007, which was down 4.6 percent from 2007. The Agriculture Administration also forecast an average yield of 62 kilograms of lint per mu or 930 kilograms per hectare, reflecting a 16.2 percent decline from 2006. Total lint production is forecast to drop 19.5 percent from last year to 155,000 tons, resulting in a reduction of total Jiangsu output for 2007.

In the Xinghua area of the province, cotton picking has begun on a small scale. The quality of the early-picked seed cotton is not good and is reported to be yellow, lowering the cotton grade. Widespread picking is expected by mid-September.

 Globecot