West Africa cotton 2016-17 on upward path
Selected West African Countries (Burkina Faso, Mali, Cote d’Ivoire, Chad, and Senegal) forecast MY2016/17 seed cotton production at 1.9 million tons (3.6 million bales), representing 19 % increase compared to previous year’s
Even though Burkina Faso decided not to plant Bt cotton in MY 2016/17, seed cotton production may increase 20 % (700000 tons) while remaining the top cotton producer in West Africa. Mali will increase 23 % seed cotton production (629000 tons) for MY 2016/17, followed by Cote d’Ivoire (16 %) and Chad (14 %). Senegal production may remain the same relative to previous years. Cote d‘Ivoire farm gate price is fixed at 265 F CFA (USD 0.44) per kg and remains the highest in the region. With that, the Government of Cote d’Ivoire hopes to motivate farmers to grow more cotton and increase production after an unsuccessful campaign in 2015-2016.