The Antalya region, now, gears up to raise its cotton production considerably after several years of importing cotton. The increase in cotton production touches almost 50 percent in the Çukurova and Aegean regions, while it crosses 100 percent in the Mediterranean region in 2010. According to the authorities, about 20,000 hectares of land is available in the region for cotton cultivation, but it has not been used efficiently, so far.

Around 30 years back, Turkey used to export cotton, mostly to U.S. and Europe but at present, it has to import cotton due to shortage in cotton supply, cotton being a raw material that is used in several industries.

General Manager of the Antalya Cotton and Citrus Agriculture Sales Union – Atila Diniz, added that import of cotton has touched one billion dollar in the past few years. He also pointed out that in 1980s the country used to export cotton but today, it has turned into a major importer of the same commodity.

Diniz also added that 2010-2011 season would be declared as the year of cotton in Turkey owing to the rise in the cotton output. The current rise in the cotton production is due to the incentives as well as the support extended by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. Cotton production has soared by 100 percent over the production figures of last year.

In 2009, Antalya Cotton and Citrus Agriculture Sales Union had bought 9,800 tons of cotton, which had touched 21,500 tons in 2010.