Commercially grown cotton is normally one of five varieties; Egyptian, Sea Island, American Pima, Asiatic, or Upland. In the United States, the "cotton belt" growing region includes Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. A cotton crop needs a long frost-free period, a lot of sunshine, and moderate rainfall - it normally takes around 150 days from planting to harvest. Most dry tropic and sub-tropic areas across the globe can produce cotton.

Cotton's lengthy growth cycle is detailed in the following illustration:

Cotton bolls are processed usually by use of a cotton gin (short for engine) which separates the lint from the seeds. Cotton is normally classified according to the fiber length or "staple". The fiber is compressed into bales which the cotton industry has dictated standards for. Each bale is 55 inches tall, 28 inches wide and 21 inches thick.

The following charts show the top countries in production, imports, and exports of cotton:

***data courtesy of USDA

***data courtesy of USDA

***data courtesy of USDA

The following graph shows the overall production of cotton in the US since 1960, the earliest year for which the USDA has available data:

***data courtesy of USDA

Ginnings - A USDA report that has the number of bales that are ginned by state. This can be monthly or annual.

Bt cotton - Genetically modified cotton with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) to kill susceptible pests when they eat the GM plants. Accounts for around 13 percent of the world crop. Staple Length - the length of the fiber. In most fibers, longer staple length is preferred and can produce a smoother thread.

Like most agricultural products, cotton depends on a delicate balance of ideal weather and irrigation. In addition, concerns for cotton may include the following:

Pests and Disease - Cotton crops require a high volume of pesticides and insecticides. One of the most destructive pests in North America is the boll weevil, responsible for devastating the cotton industry in the 1920s. The boll weevil feeds on immature cotton bolls; females can lay about 200 eggs in less than two weeks, and the larvae, in turn, will feed on flower buds. Diseases include various types of root rot, boll rot, rust, and mildew.

Competition - Since the end of the nineteenth century, the manufacture of synthetic fibers or alternative cellulose fibers has caused direct competition with cotton. The introduction of polyester and nylon caused hardship on cotton exporting economies and began a battle to re-establish markets for cotton in the late 1960s.

Fair Trade - Since cotton is grown throughout the world, some farmers in developing nations have difficulty competing with developed nations; and in 2002, Brazil took issue with the United States regarding subsidies paid to US cotton producers. Aside from issues with subsidies, many countries are criticized for employing child labor or exposing workers to dangerous pesticides - issues which have pushed forward the "ethical fashion" movements.

Cotton is a valuable source of fiber, and the obvious end-use for the crop is as a textile. However, cottonseed oil is also an important and valuable product. After the seeds are de-hulled, the meat of the seed is pressed to extract the valuable oil. Leftover meats and hulls are sold as livestock feed and the refined oil is used in foods, cosmetics, rubber, soaps, and even explosives.