Photo caption: Federal Member for Parkes and Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia David Littleproud today announced a $1,411,000 Agricultural Trade and Market Access Cooperation grant to the Australian Cotton Shippers Association and Cotton Australia.
- Australian Cotton Shippers Association (ACSA) and Cotton Australia (CA) awarded $1,411,000 Agricultural Trade and Market Access Cooperation (ATMAC) grant
- Funding to help the industry focus on identifying and securing new markets for Australian cotton globally
A $1,411,000 Morrison Joyce Government grant to the Australian Cotton Shippers Association (ACSA) and Cotton Australia (CA) will develop market access strategies for Australia’s cotton industry, benefitting cotton growers in the Parkes electorate.
Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia David Littleproud said the funding will continue to develop important international growth markets and drive demand with customers.
“We want to make Australian cotton a fibre of choice for global textile manufacturers, brands and retailers,” Minister Littleproud said.
“Cotton growers here in the Parkes electorate will benefit as we continue to drive demand for Aussie cotton with brands and retailers and position the industry in new and emerging markets.”
Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said the grant will have flow-on effects for local cotton growers by helping to maximise the potential for Australian cotton exports and increasing the global profile of locally-produced cotton.
“The Parkes electorate is home to some of the best cotton-growing regions in Australia and this grant will ensure our local growers can take full advantage of our exporting opportunities,” Mr Coulton said.
“With water storages full, our cotton growers will be able to fully capitalise on what is expected to be a couple of bumper seasons coming up.”
Cotton Australia CEO Adam Kay said that market diversification will continue to be crucial for the industry.
“We’re forecasting a large crop of 4.8 million bales in 2022, compared to an average of 3 million bales produced each year during the period from 2014-19,” Mr Kay said.
“This grant will help increase demand for the sustainable high-quality cotton we produce, avoid the need to stockpile and establish a clear roadmap for our future marketing efforts.”
ACSA Chairman Roger Tomkins acknowledged the importance of the grant in ensuring Australian cotton can match the promotional activities of its competitors, particularly the USA and Brazil.
Fast Facts:
- The Agricultural Trade and Market Access Cooperation (ATMAC) Grants have been awarded under the Australian Government’s Agri-Business Expansion Initiative (ABEI).
- The Australian government has invested $85.9 million through ABEI to help Australia’s agriculture, forestry and fisheries industries diversify and expand their export markets.
- This work will be jointly delivered by ACSA and CA, with support from the Cotton Research and Development Corporation. The project supports the marketing of Australian cotton by the members of ACSA, with demand being generated by CA.
- Builds on Phase 1 $692,456 ATMAC Grant to develop and implement an Export Market Diversification Strategy