Cotton
Profile
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West African Cotton Profile 2003
Above-average seasonal rainfall within the major cotton producing regions
of West Africa's Franc Zone should produce a bumper cotton harvest this year,
as forecast by USDA in its official statistics released on September 11,
2003. Harvest begins next month, and the 2003/04 crop is forecast at 4.32
million bales, up 0.35 million bales or 9 percent from last year. The Franc
Zone produced 3.97 million bales of lint last year, which was slightly above
the 5-year average of 3.92 million bales. Record cotton production of 4.49
million bales was set in 2001/02. Francophone Africa, or the cotton "Franc
Zone" of west and central Africa, includes the following nine countries,
in order of raw cotton production from last year: Mali, Burkina Faso, Benin,
Cote d'Ivoire, Cameroon, Togo, Chad, Senegal, and Central African Republic.
Rainfall this season has been above average in the major cotton producing
regions; soil moisture reserves were still high by the beginning of this
month. The exception has been in northern Cote d'Ivoire where rainfall has
been below average for the season. Cotton within the Franc Zone is typically
planted from May-July and harvested from October-December. Seasonal rainfall
also has been favorable for the three largest cotton producers in the region
Mali, Burkina Faso, and Benin, all of which anticipate near-record production
this year. Record production for the Franc Zone may have been achieved this
year if Cote d'Ivoire was producing at full capacity. However, below-average
production is expected for Cote d'Ivoire due to less than favorable rainfall
in the northern cotton regions and low inputs caused by on-going political
uncertainty. In addition, all ginning plants are located in the northern
half of the country which is under rebel control. In general, this year's
crop has received above-average and well-distributed seasonal rainfall for
almost all major cotton producing regions, except for the northern cotton
regions of Cote d'Ivoire. Last year's crop for the Franc Zone experienced
insufficient rainfall in several cotton producing regions, but this year's
is expected to produce more than last year's drought-stricken crop, due to
increased planted area and above-average seasonal rainfall. Problems this
year include flooding in countries such as Senegal, Mali, and Chad, but these
localized events are not expected to reduce overall cotton production for
each country.
Summary Production Estimates by Country
Benin's production forecast this year is 725,000 bales, up 50,000 bales from
last year's output of 675,000 bales. Benin should produce more cotton than
last year due to increased planted area and better than average rainfall.
Benin's cotton belt extends from the central to northern parts of the country,
and Benin produced a record of 800,000 bales of lint during 2001/02.
Burkina Faso is forecast to have a record crop this year due to above-average
rainfall and increased planted area. Flooding has damaged some areas, but
total harvested area should increase for the country, due to increased planted
area from higher farmgate prices and additional families living in Benin
who fled the war in neighboring Cote d'Ivoire. Most cotton is grown in the
southwest, where the soils are generally more fertile, rainfall more abundant,
and growing seasons longer. The south-west also includes the Mouhoun Region,
which is regarded as Burkina Faso's breadbasket due to its high agricultural
production.
Cameroon's forecast is a record crop of 450,000 bales due to above-average
rains and a record planted area of 220,000 hectares. There have been some
reports of flooding, but record area harvested is still expected. Cotton
is currently a main source of cash income for about 320,000 farmers in the
north. Central African Republic (CAR) production is forecast at 50,000 bales
as rainfall has been near average this year. Last year's crop of 35,000 bales
was below the 5-year production average of 50,000 bales. The cotton belt
of CAR extends into the savanna zone of southern Chad and northern Cameroon.
Chad's production is forecast at 325,000 bales, which is the same as last
year. Rainfall has been near average with a few reports of localized flooding.
Cotton production is mainly concentrated south of the country, while herding
prevails in the more arid northern zone. Lack of irrigation makes production
highly vulnerable to climatic conditions as evidenced by the large fluctuations
of lint production over the years.
Cote d'Ivoire rainfall for Cote d'Ivoire's cotton belt, or northern savanna
zone has been below average, indicating production will probably be less
than last year's poor crop caused by the civil war. Even though the armed
conflict is over, production is expected to be below average this year due
to poor rainfall, lack of delivery of seeds during the planting season, and
low inputs during the season. In addition, labor for harvesting the crop
is expected to be scarce as the cotton regions are located in the rebel-held
northern half of the country.
Mali, the leading cotton producer in the region, is forecast
to produce a near-record crop this year of 1 million bales due to increased
planted area
and above-average rainfall. Localized floods have damaged some areas, but
well-distributed rainfall throughout the season should more then compensate
for the flood losses. Area planted is at record levels this year because
sowing was earlier than normal and favorable for a long period of time. With
good rains and intermittent bright periods, growing conditions were also
favorable for producing a better than average crop. Malian cotton is widely
recognized as being of high quality with low production costs, despite low
yields by world standards.
Senegal expects a near record crop this year of 65,000 bales due to beneficial
rains. Planting was slightly delayed but seasonal rainfall has been average
within the cotton region. Cotton is cultivated mostly in the southern part
the country (Agricultural Lands of Senegal).
Togo production is forecast at 350,000 bales this year, which is above the
5-year average of 286,000 bales. Togo's cotton belt extends from the central
to northern part of the country and this region has received above-average
rainfall this year.
Nigeria's lint production for 2002/03 is estimated at 450,000
bales, up from 390,000 bales last year. Area planted increased from 340,000
to 375,000 hectares
this year
due to better cotton prices relative to competing crops such corn and sorghum.
Seasonal rainfall has been near average within Nigeria's cotton belt. The
northern cotton zone (Kaduna, Katsina, Bauchi, and Sokoto States) typically
accounts for 80 percent of cotton production and the eastern zone (Kano,
Borno, Plateau, and Niger) accounts for approximately 15 percent of production
(Nigeria Cotton Region).
