The cotton sector of Côte d’Ivoire is targeting 400,000 tonnes for the 2026/2027 campaign, aiming to rebound after a disappointing season marked by falling production and a sharp decline in farmers.
The West African nation, the region’s fourth-largest cotton exporter behind cocoa, rubber, and cashew nuts, recorded just 310,398 tonnes in 2025/2026—well below the 550,000-tonne target set by industry body APROCOT-CI.
Brou Kouakou, the executive director APROCOT-CI, cited poor rainfall during the planting season and rising production costs fuelled by Middle East tensions and higher fuel prices as key factors behind the shortfall.
The number of cotton farmers fell by nearly 20% to 79,979, with many switching to more profitable crops like soybeans and cashew nuts, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Despite the challenges, yields improved to 1.14 tonnes per hectare, up from 871 kg previously, even as cultivated areas shrank by 18.7% to 290,208 hectares.
Looking ahead, the sector aims to reach 600,000 tonnes by 2030. The next harvest, between October and January, will be a crucial test for Ivory Coast’s six main cotton companies, including CIDT and Global Cotton.
Ange GARA
