Mali Retains Top Spot As Leading Cotton Producer In West, Central Africa

Mali has maintained its position for the second consecutive year as the top cotton producer among the member countries of the regional programme for integrated cotton production in Africa (PR-PICA) for the 2023-2024 season, producing 690,000 tonnes. Benin follows in second place with 600,063 tonnes, Malijet reported.

The ranking is based on data from PR-PICA, involving six West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) countries (Mali, Benin, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Togo, Senegal) and two Central African countries (Cameroon, Chad).

Together, Mali and Benin accounted for 58.19 per cent of the total cotton production in the WAEMU zone. Burkina Faso ranked third in the WAEMU zone and fourth overall with 387,279 tonnes, a 4.3 per cent decrease from the previous season. Côte d’Ivoire moved up to fourth place in the WAEMU zone and fifth overall, producing 347,371 tonnes, reflecting a 47 per cent increase compared to the last campaign.

Chad took sixth place, while Togo came in seventh with 67,679 tonnes, a significant 45.4 per cent increase. Senegal finished last in the WAEMU zone with 12,991 tonnes of cotton.

The PR-PICA (Regional Integrated Cotton Production Program in Africa) is a collaborative association involving Research Institutes, Cotton Companies, Interprofessional, and Cotton Producers’ Organisations from eight West and Central African countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Senegal, Chad, and Togo.

The Programme focuses on research and development in areas such as integrated pest management, soil fertility, varietal improvement, and capacity building for all stakeholders in the cotton industry.

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