According to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics, China's total cotton sowing area reached 44.687 million mu in 2025, an increase of 2.113 million mu compared to the previous year, representing a growth of 5.0%. The yield per mu was 148.6 kilograms, up by 3.8 kilograms per mu from the previous year, a rise of 2.6%. Total output reached 6.641 million tons, increasing by 477,000 tons year-on-year, which is a growth of 7.7%.

In 2025, the national cotton sowing area was 44.687 million mu, marking an increase of 2.113 million mu over the previous year and growth of 5.0%. Regionally, Xinjiang's cotton sowing area was 38.875 million mu, an increase of 2.156 million mu compared to the previous year, growing by 5.9%. As the primary cotton-producing region in China, Xinjiang benefits from large-scale and highly mechanized cultivation. This year, the target price for Xinjiang cotton remained at a relatively high level, maintaining strong enthusiasm for production among cotton farmers, leading to a significant increase in the sowing area for two consecutive years. Other cotton-growing regions experienced a continued contraction in area due to factors such as relatively lower comparative profitability and adjustments in planting structure. Specifically, the sowing area in the Yangtze River Basin cotton region was 2.968 million mu, a decrease of 53,000 mu from the previous year, down 1.8%. The sowing area in the Yellow River Basin cotton region was 2.457 million mu, a reduction of 6,000 mu year-on-year, declining by 0.3%.

In 2025, the national cotton yield per mu was 148.6 kilograms, increasing by 3.8 kilograms per mu compared to the previous year, a growth of 2.6%, maintaining an upward trend for six consecutive years. By region, the yield per mu in Xinjiang was 158.6 kilograms, an increase of 3.7 kilograms per mu over the previous year, rising by 2.4%. Since sowing, Xinjiang has experienced higher temperatures and ample light and heat, with overall favorable meteorological conditions. The development process of most cotton was advanced, particularly during the flowering period, when sunny weather in Xinjiang was conducive to boll opening and harvesting. Furthermore, the widespread application of measures such as refined field management and variety optimization has effectively increased the yield per mu in Xinjiang. Among other cotton regions, the agro-meteorological conditions in the Yangtze River Basin cotton region this year were comparable to the previous year, resulting in a stable to slightly increased yield per mu of 74.0 kilograms, up 0.8 kilograms per mu year-on-year, an increase of 1.1%. Some cotton areas in the Yellow River Basin encountered continuous rainfall during the boll-opening period, adversely affecting cotton production, leading to a yield per mu of 82.7 kilograms, a decrease of 1.0 kilogram per mu compared to the previous year, down 1.2%.

Driven by the combined effects of increased sowing area and improved yield per mu, national cotton output achieved growth. In 2025, national cotton output reached 6.641 million tons, an increase of 477,000 tons compared to the previous year, growing by 7.7%. Specifically, Xinjiang's cotton output was 6.165 million tons, an increase of 479,000 tons year-on-year, up 8.4%. Cotton output in the Yangtze River Basin was 220,000 tons, a decrease of 2,000 tons from the previous year, down 0.7%. Cotton output in the Yellow River Basin was 203,000 tons, a reduction of 3,000 tons compared to the previous year, declining by 1.5%.