From 1979 to 1984 China's cotton production increased from about 10 million to over 28 million bales. Yields increased from an estimated 397 to 806 lbs/A. China shifted from importing cotton (1.4 million bales from the U.S. in 1980) to projected exports of 1.5 million bales in 1985. Adoption of a "household production responsibility system" by China provided a monetary incentive to individual farmers to increase their cotton production. Improved yields have resulted from the increased use of supplementary irrigation, fertilizers, chemical insecticides, and high-yielding varieties. Double cropping after cereals and oilseeds is permitting continued production of food crops. Essentially all farm operations are by hand.

The current Chinese cotton bale does not meet international standards for size and compaction. This coupled with the questionable fiber quality of several of their current varieties, may detract from the demand for China's cotton in the export markets. To better balance supply and demand the Chinese government adopted strict production control measures beginning with the 1985 crop. As a result of this new policy the current (1985) crop in China is estimated at 24.0 million bales.

Visits to textile plants substantiated recent reports that China has a viable and fast-growing textile industry. If the U.S. is to remain competitive in world markets, we must strengthen our research to lower cost per unit of production and become the world's quality producer of cotton.