Market Requirements in Cotton

Cotton is cultivated to meet various purposes, which may vary according product availability or market interests. The main cotton products are cotton fiber, cottonseed, cottonseed cake, hull and bran.
Cotton fiber

Most cotton fiber is consumed by the textile industry. 50% of the world’s textile fiber is cotton. There are several qualities of cotton depending on the species grown, and they are classified according to fiber length.

Long Stable

Fiber length of this cotton varies between 25 and 65 mm. Mostly grown in Egypt, Sudan, Haiti, Peru, and the USA. Called Egyptian, Pima or Sea Island cotton (G. barbadense).

Medium Staple

The most grown cotton (G. hirsutum), also called Upland Cotton. Fiber length is between 15 and 35 mm. Grown mostly in China, India, Brazil, Argentina, Australia, USA etc. 90% of global cotton is this type.

Short staple

Fiber length between 8 and 25 mm. Considered low quality cotton and mostly grown in China and India.
Specifications of the fiber depends first of all on the variety grown, agro-climatic conditions and crop management practices. The latter will determine whether the plants meets its varietal potential.

When classifying cotton, the fibers can be divided into six categories based on commonly perceived competitive relationships between cottons of differing quality, variety and geographic origins. This classification is roughly parallel to staple length categories, but incorporates more than just staple length information. This is due to the fact that two cottons of equal length might actually have significantly different spinning characteristics.

Extra fine, Fine and High medium cottons are typically used in ring spinning destined for combed yarn.

Medium cotton is used in ring spinning for carded yarn.

Coarse count is used for producing open end yarn.

Waste/padding is the most inferior product.

Cotton is a traded commodity and is sold according to type. When other factors are equal, spinners will pay a higher price cotton that has longer, finer and more resistant lint that is fully mature, white and bright.

Globally, the market share of medium and higher grades is rising, and the market for Coarse count quality is declining. 75% of world trade is now Medium and higher grades of Upland cotton, amounting to 7 million tons. The most remunerative and fastest growing market for Upland cottons is for the higher grades and finer cottons being used for the production of ring spun combed yarns for woven and knitted textiles.