The sharp drop in cotton prices in the previous years has led to a sharp drop in cotton production in South Africa, raising concerns within the textile sector. The sharp drop in cotton prices in the previous years has led to a sharp drop in cotton production in South Africa, raising concerns within the textile sector.

Over the last five years, cotton production has nearly gone down by 50 percent, leading the African Cotton Association (ACA) to say that the sector faced an acute crisis.

The ACA President was of the opinion that, rising input costs and falling prices in previous years, was weaning away farmers to cultivating more remunerative crops.

Cotton production has fallen by 42 percent over the last five years, to 1.17 million tons. Around 25 million South Africans are dependent on the cotton value-chain.

The President once again urged the US and EU to end subsidies to their cotton farmers to help African countries realize better prices and in turn grow more cotton.
POST: 2024-11-24