0. Executive Summary
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Judgment axis

Key judgment

Item IdentityIt is a seed-fiber composite crop belonging to the genus Gossypium, and the representative commercial species is G. hirsutum.
Key roleSeed Cotton → Lint + Cottonseed → Complex Value Chain of Cottonseed Oil, Cottonseed Meal, and Linter
Harvesting principleBoll connects seeding, seed maturation, moisture, fiber quality, and harvest date
Product separationSeparate Seed Cotton·Lint·Cottonseed·Crude Oil·Refined Cottonseed Oil·Meal·Linters
Separation of similar itemsNo. 151 Both flax and other plants are fiber and oilseed crops, but they differ from Plant Species in their processing systems.
Species separationUpland G. hirsutum and Pima G. barbadense, etc., are managed separately as Species/Cultivars.
US Species rescueThe USDA ERS presents a structure in U.S. cotton production consisting of approximately 97% Upland (G. hirsutum) and 3% Pima (G. barbadense). This ratio is based on U.S. standards and is not applicable to the global or Korean contexts. ( Economic Research Service )
Global Industry RoleThe FAO identifies China, India, the United States, and Brazil as major cotton-producing countries and indicates that approximately 80% of global cotton use is for clothing. ( FAOHome )
World OutlookThe OECD-FAO projected that global cotton lint production will reach approximately 29 Mt by 2033. This is a projection and is not equivalent to cottonseed production. ( Open Knowledge FAO )
Principles of Production StatisticsThe FAO requires cotton production to be reported separately based on Seed Cotton/Unginned Cotton and Cotton Lint. ( FAOHome )
Domestic production statisticsSouth Korea Cotton Cultivation Area, Seed Cotton, and Cottonseed Production: To be entered after verification of official raw data.
The role of cooking oilThe USDA ARS describes cottonseed oil as an edible oil with a long history. ( ARS )
Safety CoreSince gossypol is present in cottonseed, reduction, removal, and residue management are necessary when using it for food or animal feed. ( ARS )
Supply and demand riskWeather · Pests and Diseases · Boll Maturity · Harvest Loss · Ginning Yield · Lint Grade · Seed Oil Content · Gossypol · International Price
Operating PrinciplesSpecies–Cultivar–Field–Seed Cotton Lot–Ginning–Cottonseed–Oil/Meal–Buyer RFQ Connection
Final goalConnecting Producers, Ginner, Seed Processors, Oil Refiners, and Textile/Food/Feed Buyers to repurchase

Cotton holds a special position within the Food Plant Library. While its primary economic value comes from the fiber Cotton Lint, the Cottonseed separated during the ginning process forms an independent product chain consisting of Cottonseed Oil, Cottonseed Meal, and Linters . The USDA explains that Cottonseed Oil can be used as edible oil, while emphasizing that Gossypol management is essential. ( USDA )

1. Plant Identity & Product Master

Basic fields

detail

Korean namecotton
English nameCotton
Representative scientific nameGossypium hirsutum L.
Major SpeciesGossypium barbadense L. et al.
classificationMalvaceae, genus Gossypium
Edible partsFood Supply Chain Standards: Oils extracted and refined from seeds
Non-edible · Separate managementLint, Linters, Stems, Leaves, Burr, Hull, etc.
Major harvesting stagesFlowering → Boll formation → Seed and fiber development → Boll decongestion → Seed cotton harvesting
Basic product formSeed Cotton·Lint·Cottonseed·Kernel/Meat·Crude Oil·Refined Oil·Meal·Hull·Linter
Basic processing stageHarvesting · Drying/Moisture Adjustment · Ginning · Delinting · Dehulling · Flaking · Pressing/Extraction · Refining
Basic useFibers, edible oils, feed ingredients, cellulose, industrial materials
Similarity PrincipleSeparating the purposes of Species and Fiber/Oil/Seed, and not equating Cottonseed with Lint yield.

The USDA ERS classifies Upland Cotton as Gossypium hirsutum and Pima Cotton as Gossypium barbadense, and manages the fiber length and end use of the two species separately. ( Economic Research Service )

Product Master

Product ID

Actual product form

Key Management Standards

COTTON-P01seeds for cultivationSpecies·Cultivar·Seed Lot·Germination Rate
COTTON-P02Seed CottonMoisture · Foreign matter · Boll maturation · Origin
COTTON-P03Ginned Cotton LintFiber Length·Strength·Color·Trash
COTTON-P04Raw CottonseedGinning Lot · Moisture · Foreign Matter · Seed Filling
COTTON-P05Delinted CottonseedResidual Linter, Moisture, Purity
COTTON-P06Dehulled Cottonseed MeatHull Removal · Gossypol Management
COTTON-P07Cottonseed FlakeMoisture, thickness, processing history
COTTON-P08Crude Cottonseed OilOil Yield · Gossypol · Impurities
COTTON-P09Refined Cottonseed OilRefining history and food standards
COTTON-P10Foodservice Cottonseed OilMaintenance Quality, Packaging, Delivery Time
COTTON-P11Cottonseed MealProtein·Moisture·Gossypol
COTTON-P12Cottonseed HullFiber, Moisture, and Feed Suitability
COTTON-P13Cotton LintersCellulose Grade · Fiber Length
COTTON-P14Gin By-productTrash, Burr, Stem, etc.
COTTON-P15High-oleic cottonseed oilCultivar/Line·Fatty Acid Profile
COTTON-P16PB/Food-grade cottonseed oilOrigin · Lot · Refined · Labeling
2. Product Classification & Use Segmentation

Classification criteria

Subdivision type

Management principles

Plant classificationG. hirsutum, G. barbadense, etc.Species ID
CultivarFiber, Oil, High Oleic, etc.Cultivar/Line
production purposeLint Center · Seed/Oil By-products · Specialty OilsUse Type
Harvesting stageGreen Boll · Mature/Open BollHarvest Stage
Raw material formSeed Cotton · Lint · CottonseedProduct Separation
Seed processingWhole·Delinted·Dehulled·FlakedProcess ID
Maintenance formCrude · Refined · High OleicProduct Separation
by-productMeal·Hull·Linters·Gin WasteSeparation of Entities
Final useTextile·Food Oil·Feed·Cellulose·IndustrialBuyer Spec
Transaction typeFarm → Gin·Cottonseed Processor·Oil Refiner·Bulk·OEM/PBVerified/NDA
3. Production, Harvest & Post-harvest

step

Essential Dataset

Management purpose

Cultivation planSpecies·Cultivar·Fiber/Oil Purpose·AreaProduction plan
satelliteSeed Lot · Germination Ratebreed tracking
sowingSowing date and densityField Lot
buddingBudding rate · Hair emergenceEarly growth
Vegetative growthStarter · Node · BranchYield Forecast
risingTemperature, rainfall, drought, typhoonCrop Risk
soilSoil, moisture, and drainageproductivity
WateringSoil moisture and irrigation amountGrowth stability
disputeInput amount and timingProduction history
weedsOccurrence and Controlproductivity
pestsOccurrence and ControlFiber/Seed Quality
SquaringFire Thunder WaterYield Forecast
floweringFlowering Date · Flower CountBoll Forecast
Boll formationBoll NumberProduction forecast
development of seeds and fibersBoll GrowthLint/Seed Yield
Boll maturationMaturityHarvest Timing
RewritingOpen Boll RateHarvest judgment
harvestDate and MethodSeed Cotton Lot
Mountain dryness and humiditymoistureGinning Quality
GinningLint/Seed SeparationKey quarter
Lint CleaningTrash·GradeFiber Product
Cottonseed Jeongseonforeign matter/moistureOilseed Grade
DelintingRemove LinterSeed Processing
DehullingHull/Meat SeparationOil/Meal
FlakingSeed Meat ProcessingExtraction
extractionOil/Meal SeparationOil Yield
crude oil refiningGossypol · Impurity RemovalFood Grade
Meal processingProtein·Gossypol ManagementFeed Grade
Storage and PackagingBy ProductQuality
shipmentBuyer·LotDelivery
4. Quality Specification & Lot Management

Quality items

Seed Cotton/Cottonseed

Preprocessing · Meal

Cottonseed Oil

finished product

Public rating

SpeciesessentialsuccessionsuccessiontrackingPublic
CultivaressentialsuccessiontrackingtrackingVerified
mountainous districtessentialsuccessionsuccessionmarkPublic
farmhouseIDtrackingtracking-Verified
Field LotessentialsuccessionsuccessiontrackingVerified
Gin LotessentialsuccessionsuccessiontrackingVerified/NDA
Harvest dayessentialsuccessionsuccession-Verified
moisturecorecoreBy productstandardVerified
Boll/Seed maturationcoreRaw material historyYield connection-Verified
Foreign matter/TrashcorecoreFiltration managementProduct StandardsVerified
Lint qualityFiber Grade--textile productsVerified
Royal fidelitycorecoreOil Yield-Verified
Damaged lipcheckcoreQuality Connection-Verified
Oil ContentCottonseed coreResidual oilYield-Verified/NDA
ProteinSeed characteristicsMeal Key Points-Feed SpecVerified
GossypolRaw material verificationcoreRefining and safety are keyConformity to standardsVerified/NDA
Fatty Acid ProfileRaw material characteristics-coreProduct specificationsVerified/NDA
pesticide residuesLegal standardssuccessioncheckLegal standardsVerified/NDA
microorganismRaw material statusMeal/Food IngredientsIf necessaryProduct StandardsVerified/NDA
Milking yield--coreCost linkageNDA
Acid value, peroxide, etc.--coreProduct specificationsVerified/NDA
Refining history--essentialtrackingNDA
Processing historyGinningDelint/DehullExtraction/RefiningessentialNDA
packagingBale/BulkBulkTank/BottleLabeling packagingMember
saveCottonseedMealTankBy productVerified
Expiration date-By productBy productmarkVerified
ShipmentrecordrecordrecordrecordVerified
Returns and ClaimsrecordrecordrecordrecordNDA
RepurchaseconnectionconnectionconnectionconnectionNDA

Gossypol is a critical risk factor in the cottonseed food/feed chain. The USDA ARS explains that the use of standard cottonseed meal may be limited due to gossypol residue and is conducting research on breed improvement and processing to reduce it. ( ARS )
 

Lot Master Required Field

Lot ID · Item · Product Type · Species · Scientific Name · Cultivar · Fiber/Oil Production Purpose · Cultivation Type · Origin · Field · Producer · Seed Lot · Sowing Date · Flowering Date · Boll Maturity · Opening Date · Harvest Date · Seed Cotton Weight · Moisture · Trash · Pests & Diseases · Appearance · Pesticide Usage Records · Pesticide Residue Test Report · Gin ID · Ginning Date · Lint Weight · Grade · Cottonseed Weight · Cottonseed Moisture · Oil Content · Protein · Gossypol · Delinting/Dehulling Lot · Kernel/Meat Lot · Crushing Lot · Oil Yield · Crude Oil Lot · Gossypol/Oil Quality Test Report · Refining Lot · Refined Oil Lot · Meal/Hull/Linter Lot · Packaging Date · Shipper · Returns · Claims · Repurchase

5. Korea Market & Demand Structure

Customers

Purchase criteria

Cooperation opportunities

cotton farmersSpecies·Cultivar·Fiber Gradecontract farming
Local specialty cotton businessVariety · Cultivation · Culture · ProductRegional Product
Cotton ginning companySeed Cotton Moisture & TrashGin RFQ
spinning and textile companiesLint Length·Strength·GradeTextile RFQ
Cottonseed ProcessorMoisture · Oil Content · GossypolSeed RFQ
milking companyOil Content · Foreign Matter · VolumeCrushing
edible oil manufacturersCrude/Refined Oil QualityOil Supply
Food manufacturerRefined Cottonseed OilIngredient
Eating Out · Fried FoodsMaintenance stability · Delivery timeFoodservice
feed companiesCottonseed Meal·HullFeed RFQ
Cellulose companyLintersMaterial RFQ
Agricultural and Horticultural MaterialsGin By-productCircular Product
Large-scale distributionFinished edible oil productsRetail
PB·OEMcottonseed oilManufacturing
importerCottonseed/Oil/OriginTrade RFQ
Research InstituteLow Gossypol·High Oleic·Fiber/OilR&D Pilot
6. Trade & Supply-chain Intelligence

step

Key variables

Operational judgment

Production in the producing regionCountry · Species · Crop YearGlobal Supply
Seed Cotton HarvestMoisture · Trash · YieldFarm Value
GinningGin Outturn · Lint/Seed SeparationValue Split
Lint marketGrade · Fiber QualityTextile Market
Cottonseed procurementSeed Quantity · Oil ContentOilseed Supply
Seed ProcessingDelint DehullExtraction
milkingOil Yield · GossypolOil Economics
Meal productionProtein·GossypolFeed Market
tabletFood Safety · YieldFood Oil
Imports and exportsLint·Seed·Oil·Meal·HSTrade
Domestic supplyFood/Feed/TextileBuyer Allocation
RFQ · RepurchaseQuality, Yield, PriceSupplier Ranking

The FAO stipulates that seed cotton and cotton lint must be distinguished in cotton statistics. Therefore, it is erroneous to directly use cotton production volume as the raw material volume for cottonseed oil. ( FAOHome )

Import and export management

item

Management principles

Seed CottonCurrent HSK verification
Cotton LintFiber HS separate
CottonseedCheck HS separately for sesame seeds
Cottonseed for SowingSeparated from regular cottonseed
Crude Cottonseed OilCheck crude oil three times
Refined Cottonseed OilRefined oil must be checked separately.
Cottonseed Meal/CakeOilseed meal separate HS
Cotton LintersClassified separately from Lint
Korea's import volumeInput after verification of raw data by the Korea Customs Service for 2025/2026
Korean import valueInput after official verification of raw data
Major suppliersEnter after verifying HS, Country, Weight, and Value
FTACountry of Origin by Product State and Origin
QuarantineChecking quarantine conditions for seeds for sowing and unprocessed seeds
Food inspectionCheck the latest Food Code standards for cottonseed oil
Customs clearance unit priceCalculate Lint, Seed, Crude Oil, Refined Oil, and Meal separately
7. Processing, By-products & PRP Intelligence

Products and processes

Key conditions

RFQ conversion

Seed CottonMoisture·Trash·CultivarGin RFQ
Cotton LintLength·Strength·ColorTextile RFQ
Raw CottonseedOil·Protein·GossypolCrusher RFQ
Delinted SeedLinter RemovalProcessing
Cotton LintersCellulose GradeMaterial Buyer
HullFiber·MoistureFeed/Material
Kernel/MeatGossypol·OilExtraction
Flaked Seed MeatThickness · MoistureCrusher
Crude Cottonseed OilGossypol Oil QualityRefinery
Refined Cottonseed OilFood GradeFood Manufacturer
High-oleic oilFatty Acid ProfileSpecialty Oil
Cottonseed MealProtein·Residual Oil·GossypolFeed RFQ
Gin TrashComposition · ContaminationFertilizer/Material Verification
Stalk ResidueBiomassCircular Use
Unsuitable Oil/MealGossypol · pollutionFood Chain Exclusion

The USDA ARS has been conducting research on processes for the adsorption and removal of gossypol from crude cottonseed oil and the reduction of residual gossypol in cottonseed meal. Therefore, the gossypol result in the Crude Oil → Refining → Food-grade Oil stages is designated as a core release field. ( ARS )

The USDA's 2026 study is developing seed oil for the high-oleic cotton line, so High Oleic Cottonseed Oil PRP can also be operated as a separate product in the long term. ( ARS )

Product Research Profile (PRP)

PRP area

Key question

SpeciesWhich species is it, G. hirsutum or G. barbadense?
CultivarWhat are the fiber quality and seed/oil yield characteristics?
Seed CottonIs the moisture, trash, and boil maturity suitable?
GinningWhat is the amount of lint and cottonseed recovered relative to the input of seed cotton?
LintDoes the fiber grade meet the buyer's requirements?
CottonseedWhat are the levels of Oil, Protein, and Gossypol?
DelintingWhat are the Linters recovery rates and seed damage?
DehullingWhat is the Kernel/Hull recovery structure like?
Oil ContentWhat is the oil potential per kg of cottonseed?
GossypolHow does it change at each stage: Raw Seed, Meal, and Oil?
CrushingWhat is the crude oil yield relative to cottonseed?
RefiningAre gossypol and impurities in crude food oil managed at appropriate levels?
Fatty AcidIs Standard/High Oleic Oil clearly distinguished?
MealIs Protein·Gossypol suitable for the final use?
LintersIs it suitable for Cellulose/Fiber Buyer Spec?
BuyerHow do Lint Grade, Oil Yield, Safety, and Delivery Time Affect Repurchase?
8. AX Transformation

first of all

Execution item

Performance indicators

1Species·Cultivar·Origin·Harvest Date·Seed Cotton Lot requiredRequired value completion rate
2Seed Cotton·Lint·Cottonseed·Oil·Meal·Linter Product SeparationProduct identification rate
3Linking Weather, Growth, Boll, Harvest, and Ginning dataProduction history connection rate
4Datafication of quality, test reports, Gossypol, milking, and refining historyTraceability rate
5Farm – Gin – Seed Processor – Oil/Feed/Textile Buyer RFQ ConnectionRFQ Match Rate
6Video AI Boll Improvement Rate JudgmentHarvest judgment accuracy
7Video AI Seed Cotton Trash JudgmentGrade Accuracy
8AI Cotton Fiber Grade Auxiliary JudgmentError compared to Lab/instrument
9Pest and disease AI diagnosisEarly detection rate
10Seed Cotton Yield PredictionError compared to the actual
11Lint Yield predictionGin error compared to performance
12Cottonseed Yield PredictionGin error compared to performance
13NIR Oil Content PredictionError compared to Lab
14Gossypol Risk AssessmentNon-compliant blocking rate
15Crushing Yield PredictionError compared to the actual
16High Oleic Oil Automatic ClassificationProfile Judgment Rate
17Gin By-product AllocationBy-product recovery rate
18AI Supplier/Buyer MatchSample→Contract Conversion Rate
19Field→Oil/Lint Traceabilitytraceability
9. Industry Problem Bank

Problem group

Problem Definition

Required data

Mixed SpeciesManage Upland, Pima, etc. with the same cottonSpecies
Mixed fiber/oil rolesDoes not separate the value of fiber and cottonseedProduct Split
Unclear domestic production baseNeed to verify the latest commercial cultivation scaleArea·Production
Climate RiskImpact of high temperatures, rainfall, drought, and typhoonsClimate
pestsBoil, Fiber, and Seed quality degradationPest/Disease
Boll maturity deviationHarvest time · Seed/Lint quality variationMaturity
Harvest lossFallen cotton and pollution after reclamationHarvest
Seed Cotton moistureGinning quality degradationMoisture
TrashLint Grade · Gin Efficiency decreaseTrash
Starting Yield deviationChanges in Lint/Cottonseed Recovery EconomyGin Data
Cottonseed quality variationDifference between Oil and ProteinSeed Quality
Oil Content VariationChanges in milking economicsOil Content
GossypolKey Food/Feed Safety RisksGossypol
Variation in milking yieldCrude Oil Cost DifferenceCrushing Yield
Refining safetyVerification of food-grade conversion requiredRefining
Lint–Seed Lot DisconnectionDifficulty tracing back the same Field OriginRelationship
Meal usage restrictionsThe scope of application changes with GossypolMeal Quality
Linters low valueCellulose byproduct value not reflectedLinter
Cotton statistical mixtureSeed Cotton·Lint·Cottonseed confusionFAO Classification
International price fluctuationsFiber/Oilseed Value FluctuationMarket
Repurchase not reflectedTextile and Oil Buyer evaluations not returned to farmsEvaluation/Reorder
10. Farmer RFQ & Collaboration Model

RFQ Type

Public Registration

Verify/NDA

Seed Cotton Contract FarmingSpecies·Cultivar·RegionFarms, Area, Unit Price
Seed Cotton for SaleMoisture · Trash · HarvestPhysical quantity and price
GinningSeed Cotton GradeGin conditions and yield
Cotton Lint for saleFiber GradeBale·Actual Price
Cottonseed salesOrigin·MoistureOil·Protein·Gossypol
Cottonseed purchaseOilseed GradeMOQ · Actual Unit Price
Seeds for milkingOil Content · GossypolCrushing Spec
Crude Cottonseed OilOrigin·Oil LotReport
Refined Cottonseed OilFood GradeBulk Contract
High Oleic OilFatty Acid ProfileSpecialty Buyer
Oil for food manufacturingMaintenance Standards · Delivery DateRegular supply
Dining Out & School MealsOil Spec·PackagingFoodservice
PB·OEMcottonseed oilManufacturing conditions
Cottonseed MealProtein·GossypolFeed Contract
Cottonseed HullFiber · MoistureFeed RFQ
Cotton LintersCellulose GradeMaterial RFQ
importLint/Seed/Oil·OriginExporter·Freight
exportProduct·HS·SpecContract
Technology demonstrationGinning·NIR·Gossypol·OilPilot
Research cooperationCultivar·Fiber·Oil·GossypolDataset·IP
11. RFQ Request First

① Need Products & Materials

Companies and institutions seeking necessary products, agricultural products, raw materials, and processed goods register purchasing demands. Registered requests are utilized to review cooperation with potential suppliers and producers based on the RFQ Intelligence Library.

Process:
RFQ Registration → Supplier/Product Review → Collaboration Connection → Future AI Matching

Register


② We are looking for production and manufacturing partners. (Need Suppliers & Manufacturers)

Register a request to find necessary production and supply partners, ranging from farms and producer organizations to processing companies, OEM, ODM, and private label manufacturers.

Process:
RFQ Registration → Review of Production & Manufacturing Capabilities → Collaboration Connection → Future AI Partner Matching

Register


③ We are looking for domestic and international buyers. (Need Buyers)

Farmers, producer organizations, and manufacturing companies are requesting cooperation with new buyers, such as domestic and international distributors, importers, brand companies, and food service and catering businesses.

Process:
RFQ Registration → Product & Supply Capability Review → Market & Buyer Connection → Future AI Buyer Matching

Register

 

Contact : mail@markethub.org

Version History

Version

Main contents

situation

v1.0Plant Identity · Species Separation · Seed Cotton · Lint · Cottonseed · Cottonseed Oil · Meal · Linter · Gossypol · RFQ Basic Structure Registrationcomplete
v1.1Domestic Production Statistics · Cultivar · FAOSTAT · Current HS · Korean Import/Export · Verification of Latest Raw Data for the Food Codeexpected
v2.0Boll·Seed Cotton Quality·Gin Outturn·Fiber Grade·Oil Content·Protein·Gossypol·Crushing/Refining Yield Segmentationexpected
v3.0Seed Supplier–Farmer–Gin–Cottonseed Processor–Oil Refinery–Textile/Feed/Food Manufacturer–Importer–Food Service·Retail Buyer Verified Container Combinationexpected