The Australian cotton industry has been stunned by a Chinese government order to Chinese spinning mills to stop using Australian cotton.
The concerning move has sideswiped the Australian cotton industry that relies heavily on Chinese mills to process its cotton. China buys about 60 per cent of Australia's cotton, worth close to $1 billion a year.
It is believd the Chinese move is a forerunner to China imposing a 40 per cent tariff on Australian cotton.
The Federal Government and the cotton industry were scrambling on Friday morning to understand the reasons behind the move - the latest in a growing trade spat between China and Australia.
China has already slapped on a massive tariff on Australian barley and targetted several beef exporters. The wine industry is also waiting to see if it may suffer a similar tariff fate.
A joint statement by Adam Kay - CEO, Cotton Australia and Michael O'Rielley - Chair, Australian Cotton Shippers said:
"The Australian cotton industry is working to understand apparent changes to export conditions for Australian cotton to the People's Republic of China.
"It has become clear to our industry that the National Development Reform Commission in China has recently been discouraging their country's spinning mills from using Australian cotton.
"Our industry is working with the Australian Government, including the Trade and Agriculture ministers' offices, to investigate the situation and fully understand what is going on.
"The Australian cotton industry has earned a reputation as a reliable international supplier of cotton with fast shipping times to export destinations and reliable delivery. Our crop is in strong demand internationally and can attract a price premium due to its high quality, excellent sustainability credentials, reliability and a proven track record in meeting manufacturer and consumer needs, including in China.
"Our industry's relationship with China is of importance to us and is a relationship we have long valued and respected. To now learn of these changes for Australian cotton exports to China is disappointing, particularly after we have enjoyed such a mutually beneficial relationship with the country over many years.
"Despite these changes to our industry's export conditions, we know Australian cotton will find a home in the international market. The Australian cotton industry has long enjoyed positive relationships with the many other countries we export to, and we look forward to continuing and developing those other relationships further.
"The Australian cotton industry will continue having meaningful conversations with stakeholders to fully understand this situation, and we will continue working with the Australian Government to respectfully and meaningfully engage with China to find a resolution."
The move is another blow after a Chinese-based company that bought a large part of last year's 660,000 bale cotton crop went into liquidation and many Australian growers have not yet been paid.
John Ellicott
journalist and author
journalist and author
