According to the survey, seed cotton harvesting has basically ended in most cotton areas in northern Xinjiang, and a small amount of re-harvesting is in progress, but the impact on seed cotton yields and selling prices has been minimal. As the temperature drops and some cotton ginners have reduced or stopped harvesting, farmers, cooperatives, etc. have also significantly reduced their operations of hoarding egg roll cotton for sale. The harvest and delivery progress of hand-picked cotton in southern Xinjiang has exceeded 80%, and the delivery price of machine-picked cotton has also stabilized. Therefore, compared with the cost of cotton processing, farmers’ income from cotton planting in 2021 will be clearer.
Judging from the domestic cotton price index charts released by relevant agencies in October and November, cotton prices during the price collection period were higher than the Xinjiang cotton target of 18,600 yuan/ton. The price is almost a foregone conclusion. For the majority of basic growers, there is no hope of receiving direct subsidies for Xinjiang cotton in 2021. According to a survey of some farmers in Changji, Jinghe, Shawan, Kuitun and other places in northern Xinjiang, the average transaction price of machine-picked cotton this year is 10.4-10.5 yuan/kg (there may be some discrepancies due to differences in clothing content, quality, and region). Cotton farmers earn about 4,000 yuan/mu from selling seed cotton wool.
Taking into account factors such as epidemic prevention and control in 2021/22, the unsmooth flow of cotton picking machines across regions, and the substantial increase in gasoline and diesel prices, not only seed cotton picking The harvest period has been extended, and harvesting fees have increased (for example, the harvesting price of egg roll cotton once rose to 260-280 yuan/mu). In addition, the initial planting costs, including land contract fees, water and electricity fees, fertilizers, etc., are all higher than last year. Among them, land contract fees have increased significantly and will continue to rise in 2022. It is predicted that the comprehensive planting cost of machine-picked cotton in Northern Xinjiang is expected to reach 2,400-2,600 yuan/mu in 2021, and the efficiency of cotton planting is higher than that of other crops such as corn and wheat.
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