Egyptian cotton
There are various types of cotton in the market obtained from different species of cotton plants. You hear the most common Egyptian cotton. This cotton is a term commonly applied to extra-long staple (ELS) cotton produced in Egypt. Egypt's climate allows cotton fibers to grow extra long which classifies it as an ELS fiber. Egyptian cotton is usually 1 ¼ to 2-inch staple length. In its purest state, Egyptian cotton can produce the highest quality fabrics that provide exceptional hand and durability. Pima cotton a sister to Egyptian cotton is a generic label given to extra-long staple cotton developed by the United States in the early 1900s.
Egyptian cotton fiber is unique among all cotton varieties. It grows under specific geographical and climatic conditions of heat, sun, moisture, and rich soil. This makes Egyptian cotton fiber longer, stronger, and more durable. This long-staple and extra-long-staple Egyptian-grown cotton produces a fine yarn that is smaller in diameter but stronger than another cotton. This fine, long-staple yarn is woven into the fabric with a higher thread count per square inch of material (higher thread count) for a softer, more luxurious feel.
History
Egyptian is a market class representing G. barbadense produced in Egypt. Barbadians. The market class began to develop in the 1820s when Jumel's cotton entered commercial production. It was a type of cotton that had been grown in the region for some time, but a French engineer named Jumel recognized its potential as a source of fiber after seeing it growing as an ornamental in a garden in Cairo. Based on its description, it appears to be a recently evolved long-fiber type of G. barbadense from the New World. Encouraged by Jumel's success with cotton, the Egyptians experimented with other seeds, including the Sea Island. The next major breed in Egypt, the early Ashmouni, was probably a hybrid between Jumel and Sea Island. Similarly, the following major variety, Mit Afifi was probably a hybrid between early Ashmouni and a sea island variety. In the latter half of the 19th century, cotton production in Egypt increased dramatically due to the expansion of irrigation and increased demand due to the US Civil War. It has been important ever since.
Egyptian cotton characteristics
i. Egyptian cotton comes from the species G. barbadense.
ii. These Cotton products are softer, finer, and more durable than any other cotton in the world.
iii. It has usually a 1 ¼ to 2-inch staple length, also called extra-long staple (ELS) cotton.
iv. It's brilliant white or the most vibrant hue on the spectrum, this cotton holds its own with deeper, brighter, and more resistant colors.
v. Hand-picked with loving care, this cotton stays stronger for longer, no matter how many times you wash it.
vi. This cotton has extremely long-staple fibers, are greater than 36mm with very high uniformity.
vii. This cotton is more porous than other types of cotton. This means that it can absorb large amounts of water and other liquids, making it the ideal material for towels, bath mats, and dressing gowns.
Cultivation
Cotton cultivation is expensive, and it costs more than 10,000 Egyptian pounds to grow one hectare. A hectare produces 10 to 12 kantars, with each kantar costing between 2,500 and 2,700 pounds. Egyptian cotton is a remarkable commodity that has played an important role in the economic, social, and political history of Egypt over the past two centuries. Egypt's unique climate and fertile soil are ideal for cotton cultivation. From the early 18th century to the present, Egyptian cotton has always been synonymous with luxury and quality. After the popular revolution in January 2011, Egypt's cotton industry suffered a downturn due to government neglect, which undermined the quality of the North African country's most famous crop. However, after years of suffering, the government plans to revive the core sector by doubling the production of quality cotton. According to ALCOTEXA, Egypt is expected to export about 65 million kilograms of long-staple cotton worth USD 150 million during the 2018-2019 season. Generally, cotton cultivation is very profitable for farmers, companies, and the country's economy.
Harvesting
Cotton is fully matured and ready for harvest about 160 days after planting. Once the bolls have burst, farmers can prepare the cotton plants for harvest. The biggest threat to the cotton crop is weather-rainfall, so the crop should be harvested on time to avoid damage.
Take care during and after cotton picking
i. Cotton should be picked in the morning as moisture does not trap dry leaves and other debris.
ii. During sorting, good quality, and completely open bolls should be sorted and kept separately. Then remove the yellowish cotton from the affected bolls and keep it aside.
iii. Different varieties of cotton should be sorted and kept separately.
iv. After harvesting cotton should be dried in the sun for 3-4 days and stored in a dry and clean place.
v. Cotton should be transported well-covered or close.
vi. Also, careful handling and storage should be done to avoid contamination.
Conclusion
For three centuries, Egyptian cotton marked one of the country's greatest competitive advantages. Having established a reputation as the best cotton in the world, its softness, strength, and superior properties make Egyptian cotton-made products extremely popular around the world. Fabrics made from Egyptian cotton are soft, fine, and last longer than any other cotton so little extra is required. Because finer yarns mean higher thread counts, the weave of the fabric is significantly stronger and lasts much longer than regular cotton. It adds that Egyptian cotton is losing its competitive edge in the international market for several reasons, including that some farmers mix long-staple seeds with short-staple seeds when planting.
0 Comments