Xinjiang Cotton: Ready for Sowing!

As the spring breeze sweeps across the southern foothills of the Tianshan Mountains, Xinjiang's cotton fields are poised to welcome a new sowing season. Recently, the Xinjiang Climate Center (Agricultural Meteorological Observatory) released its forecast for the optimal cotton sowing period in Southern Xinjiang for 2026. According to the forecast, the optimal sowing window for most cotton-growing areas in Southern Xinjiang this year is earlier than the historical average—closely mirroring that of last year. The western part of the Hotan Prefecture and the northern part of the Kizilsu Kirghiz Autonomous Prefecture are expected to be the first to begin sowing in early April, while the optimal sowing period for the majority of the remaining cotton-growing areas in Southern Xinjiang falls between early and mid-April.

Meteorological data indicates that the average temperature in Southern Xinjiang during the 2025/2026 winter was -2.4°C—2.4°C higher than the historical average for the same period—setting a new record since 1961. The onset of spring also arrived 5 to 15 days earlier than usual across the region, and 16 to 20 days earlier specifically in the Kizilsu Kirghiz Autonomous Prefecture. These favorable temperatures have allowed the cotton fields to "awaken" early this year, creating ideal conditions for early sowing.

According to the forecast, the optimal sowing period for areas north of the Flaming Mountains in Turpan and within the Yanqi Basin is from mid-to-late April. Specifically regarding the major cotton-producing areas: Kuqa City, Shayar County, and Aral City in the Aksu Prefecture can begin sowing as early as March 25, with their optimal sowing window spanning from April 1 to April 15; Bachu County and Maigaiti County in the Kashgar Prefecture will begin sowing on March 27, with an optimal window from April 3 to April 18; and Moyu County, Hotan City, Luopu County, and Cele County in the Hotan Prefecture will begin sowing on March 29, with an optimal window from April 3 to April 10.

Meteorological authorities predict that temperatures in Southern Xinjiang's cotton-growing areas will generally remain higher than average throughout April; however, weather activity is expected to be relatively frequent. From late March through late April, Southern Xinjiang's cotton regions are expected to experience three distinct weather events of moderate-to-weak intensity (or higher), occurring in early April, mid-April, and late mid-April, respectively. There is a high probability of hazardous weather events—including strong winds accompanied by blowing dust, sudden temperature drops, and hail—primarily affecting areas such as Turpan City, the Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture, the Aksu Prefecture, the Kashgar Prefecture, and the Hotan Prefecture.

Ji Chunrong, Chief of Agrometeorological Services at the Xinjiang Climate Center, stated that since the optimal sowing window this year has arrived earlier than usual, localities must make early preparations regarding agricultural supplies and the maintenance of farm machinery. During the sowing and seedling emergence periods, close attention should be paid to agrometeorological disaster risk warnings; comprehensive measures—such as securing plastic mulches against the wind and conducting artificial weather modification operations—should be implemented in a timely manner to lay a solid foundation for stable and high cotton yields in Xinjiang.