Critical Threshold in Cotton: A Broad Agenda Extending from Production to Geopolitics at the Summit. The 8th National Cotton Summit brought together the structural problems of the sector and global opportunities on the same platform. At the summit, both the structural problems on the production side and the effects of global developments on the sector were comprehensively evaluated.
The summit concluded with broad participation
The summit, which began with the opening speech of National Cotton Council Chairman Fevzi Çondur, continued with the evaluations of İhsan Emiralioğlu, Deputy General Director of Plant Production at the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, and Dr. Süleyman Elban, Governor of İzmir. The organization, which saw strong participation from sector representatives, producers, exporters and industrialists, was completed with a broad perspective ranging from cotton production to trade.
Çondur stated that the aim of the summit was to present the current problems of the sector, discuss solution proposals and address strategic issues for the future. Emphasizing that Türkiye holds an important position in global cotton production despite its limited cultivation areas, Çondur noted that a sustainable and traceable production approach played a decisive role in this achievement.
Cotton stood out as a strategic product
İhsan Emiralioğlu, Deputy General Director of Plant Production at the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, evaluated the position of cotton within agricultural policies and stated that it is among the 13 strategic products determined by the Ministry. Noting that increased rainfall in the first months of 2026 created expectations for a more favorable production season, Emiralioğlu stated that Türkiye performs above the global average in terms of productivity. Drawing attention to the increase in productivity, Emiralioğlu stated that seed cotton yield per decare rose by 36 percent from 353 kilograms in 2002 to 480 kilograms, while the global average is approximately 236 kilograms. He also announced that the support payment provided to producers was increased for 2026.
Cost pressure and the risk of withdrawal from production
İzmir Governor Dr. Süleyman Elban drew attention to production costs in his speech. Emphasizing the need to improve irrigation techniques, Elban stated that unconscious use of chemicals increases costs and leads producers in some regions to move away from agriculture. Stating that the pace of farmers’ withdrawal from cotton production should be reduced, Elban pointed to the importance of focusing on solution-oriented approaches.
Solutions and competitiveness were discussed in the sessions
In the first session held within the scope of the summit, the topic “Problems in Domestic Cotton Production and Solution Proposals” was addressed. Producers, union representatives and sector professionals evaluated the reasons behind the decline in production and possible solutions. In the second session, the topic “The Competitiveness of Turkish Textiles in the Global Market” was discussed. Exporters and industry representatives shared their views on global competition conditions, cost factors and market dynamics.
Geopolitical developments increased cotton demand
One of the prominent topics at the summit was the impact of global developments on cotton demand. Tensions on the US/Israel-Iran axis, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, led to an increase in oil prices, directly affecting synthetic fiber costs. It was stated that synthetic fiber prices, which were around 1 dollar per kilogram before the war, rose to 1.70 dollars, representing an increase of approximately 70 percent. This development accelerated the textile sector’s shift towards natural cotton. While cotton prices, which had remained stable for three years, also began to move upward during this period, natural fiber came back to the agenda.
Orders shifted to Türkiye
The difficulties experienced by energy-dependent producer countries caused orders to shift direction. It was stated that disruptions in the production and delivery processes of some countries dependent on the Gulf region were reflected as orders shifting to Türkiye. It was noted that in recent weeks there had been an increase in orders at a level capable of meeting several months of production, and that this was directly reflected in cotton demand. Another important topic raised at the summit was Türkiye’s production quality. It was stated that Türkiye is one of the limited number of countries in the world producing non-GMO cotton, providing a significant competitive advantage for the sector. It was also noted that a significant portion of cotton production is carried out in Şanlıurfa, and that organic and high-quality production stands out as a prominent element in international markets.
The summit concluded with a plaque ceremony
The program was completed following the closing speech of National Cotton Council Chairman Fevzi Çondur, with the presentation of plaques to sponsor companies and speakers who contributed to the event. The evaluations made at the summit revealed that the cotton sector is undergoing a multidimensional transformation process not only in terms of production, but also across cost, sustainability, geopolitical developments and global competition. The resulting picture once again showed that decisions to be taken regarding cotton constitute a strategic area that will directly affect not only agricultural production but also the future of the Turkish textile industry.
