Chinese cotton growers have lost out on 18 billion yuan (US$2.25 billion) in revenues over the past four years due to the country importing 4 million tons of cotton, Tuesday's Economic Information Daily reports.

The report said that it means each of China's nearly 100 million cotton growers earned 200 yuan less a year.

Experts warn China's growing dependence on imported cotton will bring havocs to the growth of the country's own cotton industry and deny growers higher incomes.