Cotton Australia has said close to 480,000 green hectares of cotton have been planted this season, predominantly in NSW and Queensland.
Some have also been planted in the Northern Territory and Western Australia.
Cotton Australia CEO Adam Kay said the crop results are positive considering the predictions of an El Nino last September.
“Our growers were expecting a long, hot, and dry summer, forcing a crop revision below four million bales.
“The rains across our largest growing areas were very welcome, and now we are expecting at least 4.5 million bales, which will result in more than $3.6 billion for the Australian economy.
“Much of it will flow back into rural and regional communities.”
Cotton Australia’s regional managers, based in each of the cotton growing regions, have reported that picking is under way in Queensland.
Northern NSW has a mixed result with average to above average crops expected, depending on the location, and picking to start around Easter.
In Southern NSW, growers are planning their last irrigation and are looking towards a start to picking in late April.
Most picking is expected to happen in the first week of May.
The irrigated crop ranges from average to slightly above average.
At the other end of the country, Northern Territory growers say their crops look okay despite heavy and consistent rain, which has hindered production.
Mr Kay said the good season is cause to celebrate in every one of the 249 communities where cotton is being grown across the country.
“It means more than $3.5 billion will filter down through each area, and that helps support jobs in regions that need them most,” he said.
