2024-10-24 22:01:00
Brazil has become the world’s largest cotton exporter, ahead of the United States. The volumes exported by the Latin American giant continue to grow and could tomorrow threaten the market shares of African cotton, which some define as the most valuable cotton in the world. Where is the awareness on the continent and what are the avenues for adaptation?
From our special correspondent to HoleFrench Cotton Associationwhich was held at the beginning of October in the city of Le Havre,
« We have the pressure of Brazilwe cannot deny it », recognizes the president of theProfessional association of cotton companies of Ivory Coast. « The signs are there adds Jean-François Touré, we must be aware of this and carry forward the necessary reflections to counter the situation ».
The expansion of cotton cultivation in Brazil has defied all odds: some experts even consider it the highlight of the 21st century for the sector. As of last year, Brazil has become the world’s top exporter, which is enough to make West African producers think a little harder about their future.
On the international market, Africa still remains the main supplier of Bangladeshthanks to the beauty of its hand-picked cotton, but that could change quickly. Hence the efforts currently made by the African Cotton Association to maintain and improve the quality of white gold, assures Papa Fata Ndiaye, general director of Sodefitex to Senegal. « This requires more careful collection, he explains, a fierce fight against cotton contamination by polypropylenes and improved batch homogeneity to more effectively meet spinning needs. »
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Ten producers for 50% of production
In Brazil, a small farm covers 50,000 hectares, compared to 2 hectares in Africa. Ten producers represent no less than 50% of Brazilian production. We are therefore talking about extraordinary agricultural companies, with impressive yields, three to five times higher than those on the African continent, which allow us to reduce production costs per hectare. While it is not possible to make a comparison between hand-harvested and machine-harvested cotton, there is room for improvement in terms of agricultural practices and yield in West Africa.
« We are still continuing with the same fertilizer formulation, so there are a number of reforms and reflections to be made”according to Jean-François Touré, who estimates that the continent’s producing countries can achieve a yield of 1.5 tonnes per hectare, or even 2 tonnes/ha.
Read alsoRemobilize Africa’s cotton sector amid declining production
A Brazil that will be even more present tomorrow
No one has any doubts: in the coming years the Latin American giant will produce even more in the Mato Grosso region, which occupies an area one and a half times larger than that of France.
The threat is real, but not just for Africa, explains Laurent Peyre, president of the French Cotton Association and executive director of the StoneX CDI company. “ If the volumes become very large, Brazil will overshadow everyone, West Africa, but above all American and Australian cotton which are two equally mechanized cottons. ».
Among the alternative outlets for Africa, outside of Asia, local manufacturing is increasingly increasing. It involves the construction of spinning mills and weaving mills, just like that of Benign is currently being tested, but the main obstacle remains, in most countries, the availability of sustainable and affordable energy.
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