Modules in the gin yard at Queensland Cotton’s Cecil Plains facility in June. Photo: Queensland Cotton Corporation

THE Australian Cotton Shippers Association and Cotton Australia have received an Agricultural Trade and Market Access Cooperation grant for $890,000 for targeted engagement, education, and communication activities to improve trade.

Entitled Taking Australian Cotton to the World – Realising the Opportunity, the project will use the grant to enable cotton growers to broaden the network of supply chain partners and customers.

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,” Mr 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 around 1500 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.

“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.”

Source: Federal Government