Greece and Spain are the only countries in the European Union that produce cotton, and our country accounts for 14% of total production.
The cotton plant is a plant of the genus Gossypium, of tropical and subtropical origin, belonging to the Malvaceae family, from which the fiber destined for the textile industry and the seeds are obtained.
These crops have little to do with the fruit trees, olive groves, or almond trees of the Bajo/Baix Cinca region. Nevertheless, we consulted with AgroStock Group , experts in plant nutrition with a presence in more than 30 countries, to learn more about these types of plants, how and where they are grown in Spain, and what recommendations they have for their care.
Global cotton production is approximately 25,5 million tons , with the United States, China, and India being the largest producers, accounting for 60% of global output. However, this essential crop for the global textile industry is also grown in Europe. According to the 2020 Agricultural Census (the latest available) , Spain has over 5.000 cotton farms , the vast majority concentrated in Andalusia . Spanish cotton production represents 14% of EU total production, making it the largest producer of textile plants.
AgroStock exports formulated products to several countries where cotton plantations represent a significant percentage of the region's agricultural production. As experts in plant nutrition, they are familiar with some of the most common diseases affecting these crops , such as bollworm, spider mites, cotton leafminer, aphids, and pink bollworm, and they know which products are most effective in preventing their occurrence.
On the other hand, one of the most important aspects of the cotton plant is boll size . This can make a significant difference in achieving higher crop yields . To improve boll size, the Area Manager of AgroStock in Andalusia recommends Elicitech Increase , based on Elicitech²® technology with potassium and phosphorus, specially formulated to improve boll size and induce coloration.
In our country, Gossypium hirsutum is mostly cultivated , whose main use is for the fiber intended for the textile industry.
Cotton cultivation has great socio-economic importance in the areas where it is grown, as it is concentrated in very localized, predominantly rural production areas, and is associated with a nearby ginning industry.
