Growing the overseas customer base for Australian cotton is the key driver behind new federal funding for the industry.
Cotton Australia and the Australian Cotton Shippers Association have been awarded a $890,000 Agricultural Trade and Market Access Cooperation (ATMAC) grant for targeted engagement, education, and communication activities to improve trade.
The Taking Australian Cotton to the World – Realising the Opportunity
project will use the grant to enable cotton growers to broaden the network of supply chain partners and customers.
Cotton Australia’s Cotton to Market Lead Brooke Summers welcomed the funding.
“We are very grateful for the assistance from ATMAC to continue promoting Australian cotton on the global market. The demand from our customers to source sustainably grown cotton continues to increase, and this funding will help us share the Australian cotton credentials and story,” Ms Summers said.
“Part of this funding will allow us to bring international delegates to Australian next year as part of our Australian Cotton Farm Tour where they will visit farms and see picking first-hand, while learning about the benefits and sustainability credentials of Australian cotton.”
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Murray Watt said the Albanese Government was helping to protect and grow the cotton industry by investing in both biosecurity and improving market access.
“Australia’s cotton trade needs to be more diversified and resilient to trade disruptions caused by COVID-19 and global logistics issues,” Minister Watt said.
“Through this new grant, we’re backing Australian cotton producers and exporters to be even more competitive, resilient, and to explore and realise opportunities in new markets.
“ATMAC funding has already helped industry generate significant demand for Australian cotton and to export a record crop of 5.6 million bales. We continue to work with the agriculture industry to reach its goal of $100 billion in farmgate value by 2030.”
ACSA Chairman Matthew Bradd said there were about 1,500 cotton farms in Australia and the industry supported thousands of Australian jobs.
“Building on ATMAC and industry success to date the latest grant will enable ACSA to fully realise the opportunities created and drive further demand for Australian cotton in new and emerging markets, through targeted engagement, education and communication with supply chain partners and customers," Mr Bradd said.
“This will ensure Australian cotton remains not only competitive on the world market but seen as the fibre-of-choice for an increasing number of supply chain partners.”
More information about the ATMAC program is available here: Agricultural Trade and Market Access Cooperation (ATMAC) Program.
Information about the Australian Cotton Shippers Association and Cotton Australia can be found here: Cotton | Taking Australian Cotton to the World and here: Cotton Australia.