Description

Raw cotton is a natural, soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a protective case called a boll around the seeds of the cotton plant (Gossypium species). It is one of the world’s most important agricultural commodities, widely cultivated for use in the textile, medical, and industrial sectors.

When harvested, raw cotton appears as white or creamy fibers containing both lint and seeds. The fibers are separated from the seeds through a process known as ginning, after which the lint is pressed into bales for transport and processing.

Key Characteristics:

1. Color: White to off-white, depending on variety and maturity.
2. Fiber Length: Typically ranges from 0.8 to 1.5 inches (short to long staple).
3. Moisture Content: Usually between 7% – 9%.
4. Purity: Contains natural oils, waxes, and sometimes traces of leaf or stem matter prior to cleaning.
5. Odor: Natural plant smell, free from chemical additives.

Applications:

1. Textile manufacturing (yarn, thread, and fabric production).
2. Medical supplies (cotton wool, bandages, gauze).
3. Industrial use (paper production, insulation, and absorbent materials).
4. Cottonseed by-products are used for animal feed and oil extraction.

Major Producing Regions:
Africa (notably Nigeria, Benin, Mali, and Burkina Faso), Asia (India, China, Pakistan), the United States, and Brazil.

Export Form: Raw cotton is typically exported in bales weighing between 170 kg and 225 kg each, properly compressed, wrapped, and labeled according to international trade standards.