Sharp Decline in Domestic Production Threatens Supply Security

Better Cotton Practices Association (IPUD) Board Member Fuat Tanman stated that four years ago approximately 75 percent of the textile industry’s cotton demand was met by domestic production, whereas this ratio has declined to around 25 percent in the current season.\r\n

Sharp decline in production: from 1.1 million tons to 400 thousand tons

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The scale of the contraction in cotton production becomes clearer through the figures. Reminding that a record level of approximately 1.1 million tons of lint cotton production was reached in 2022, Tanman noted that production dropped to 660 thousand tons last year and could decline further to around 400 thousand tons this season. Considering that Türkiye’s annual lint cotton consumption is around 1.5 million tons, it is evident that current production levels can meet only one quarter of domestic demand. It is emphasized that the main reason behind this decline is the losses incurred by producers in recent years, leading to a contraction in planting areas.

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Türkiye ranks 7th in production, 4th in consumption

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As a major textile producer on a global scale, Türkiye ranks 7th in cotton production and 4th in consumption worldwide. This situation structurally leads the sector to depend on imports. According to Tanman, although this is inevitable, increasing domestic production stands out as a strategic necessity. Rising geopolitical risks and global supply chain vulnerabilities are pushing countries towards self-sufficiency in strategic raw materials, and cotton is considered a critical component within this context.

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Call for incentives: Production must increase for supply security

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Sector representatives agree that support mechanisms should be strengthened to re-motivate producers in order to ensure supply security in cotton. Tanman stated that increasing domestic production would not only reduce imports but also minimize raw material access risks for the textile industry. Another key issue in cotton, alongside production, is sustainability. Pointing out that regulations regarding carbon footprint are tightening, especially in export markets such as Europe, Tanman emphasized the critical role of certified cotton use. He added that the use of Better Cotton-certified domestic cotton would both reduce the carbon footprint of industrialists and enhance their competitiveness in international markets, underlining that sustainable production criteria are no longer optional but mandatory.

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Regenerative agriculture and traceability come to the fore

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Demand dynamics in the global cotton trade are also evolving. While previously “Better Cotton Initiative (BCI)” practices were considered sufficient, regenerative agriculture techniques and traceability criteria have recently come to the forefront. It is stated that the Better Cotton system has adapted to this transformation by updating its criteria. These developments increase expectations for transparency and sustainability across the entire chain, from production to the final product.

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Certified production rate in Türkiye below global average

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While the share of better cotton production in Türkiye stands at approximately 13 percent of total production, this ratio is around 22 percent globally. This gap indicates that Türkiye still has room for development in sustainable cotton production. One of the promising developments in the sector is the certification work carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. It is stated that the process of achieving equivalence between Good Agricultural Practices certification and Better Cotton certification has reached its final stage. Once completed, producers will be able to benefit from state supports while marketing their cotton with internationally recognized certification. This is expected to contribute to the expansion of certified cotton production areas in Türkiye.

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