Last Reviewed:August 5, 2022 by Gabrielle Marks
Where Does Cotton Grow Geographically?
Cotton grows in warm climates and can be grown between the latitudes of 30°N to 30°S.
Though it is possible to grow cotton anywhere between the latitudes of 37°N to 30°S, the climate will greatly influence the production and quality of the product. Cotton plants perform best in geographic locations with long frost-free vegetation periods. They also thrive best under warm conditions with heavy rainfall while maturing, and dry warn conditions during harvesting season.
What Countries Grow Cotton?
Cotton is grown across the US and in many other parts of the world. Texas is the leading producer of cotton in the United States. Throughout the world, cotton is grown in China, India, Uzbekistan, Brazil, Pakistan, and Turkey.
Where Is Cotton Grown In the US?
Cotton has been grown across the US since the time of Coronado who documented the American Indians cultivating the plant in the 1500s. The American colonists did not start growing cotton until the early 1600s. Since that time, the southern states boast the largest production of cotton, Texas holding top honors as a top producer. Seventeen states primarily produce the majority of all the cotton in the United States and include (in alphabetical order) Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.
Who Grows the Most Cotton?
According to the National Cotton Council of America, as of 2012, China is the world’s largest producer of cotton. India is a close second contender while the United States is third though only producing about half of what China produces.
Resources
“Where Cotton Grows.” National Cotton Council of America. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Oct. 2019. <https://www.cotton.org/pubs/cottoncounts/story/where.cfm />.
“The Requirements of the Cotton Plant.” Organic Cotton. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Oct. 2019https://www.organiccotton.org/oc/Cotton-general/Plant-and-fibres/Plant-requirements.php
“Frequently Asked Questions- National Cotton Council.” National Cotton Council of America. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Nov. 2011. <http://www.cotton.org/edu/faq/>.
