Australian cotton took centre stage in a recent segment on Channel 9’s 60 Minutes, offering powerful exposure for brands and retailers committed to sourcing the home-grown fibre.
The story explored the impact of international trade policy on Australian-grown commodities, including cotton. Featuring respected cotton grower Andrew Watson and filmed on his farm in Boggabri, the segment brought viewers to the heart of where Australian cotton begins its journey.
The result was 3 minutes and 34 seconds of positive prime time national television exposure for Australian cotton specifically and for family farmers generally, producing quality and sustainable crops that are in demand globally.
Andrew explained to the reporter that it can take 8 months for cotton picked from the farm to be spun into yarn, woven into fabric, sewn into a garment, and finally delivered back to Australia in the form of an Aussie cotton shirt. With 70% of the products from his farm being exported, global trade disruptions pose a real risk to farming livelihoods.
While Andrew gave salient points and views about the possible trade issues due to Donald Trump's tariffs, the overall message is that Australian cotton is important to the Australian economy, contributing $3.5 billion annually, and that crops grown by Australian farmers, like Watson, help to clothe and feed the world.
The Cotton Australia Communications team worked closely with producers at 60 Minutes, ensuring the segment delivered a clear message about the very real impact of the changing global market on Australian farms.
May 2025