Togo Records New Drop in Cotton Output in 2024-2025 Season

Agriculture

Tuesday, 03 June 2025 15:13

Togo Records New Drop in Cotton Output in 2024-2025 Season

(Togo First) - Togo produced 60,403 tonnes of seed cotton during the 2024-2025 season, down 9.8% from 67,000 tonnes in the previous season. The recent output was also 8.4% shorter than the initial forecast of 66,000 tonnes. The figures were disclosed by the Nouvelle Société Cotonnière du Togo (NSCT) during the sector’s national review meeting in Kara on May 28, 2025.

Industry insiders attribute the drop to irregular rainfall and other hazards in the cotton-growing zones.

Despite the setback, NSCT officials and producers say the numbers show “the resilience of the industry” amid ongoing challenges.

The drop adds pressure on Singapore’s Olam Group, which has controlled Togo’s cotton sector since 2020. Since Olam’s takeover, production has struggled to exceed 60,000 tonnes—except for a brief rebound to 67,000 tonnes in the 2023-2024 season.

During the Kara meeting, producers pledged to revive the sector. Among others, they aim to sow 110,000 hectares and produce 93,000 tonnes of seed cotton in the coming season.

To hit the targets, Lomé will keep incentive prices steady despite economic pressures. It fixed the purchase price of seed cotton at CFA300 per kilogram. It also maintained fertilizer prices (NPKSB and Urea) at CFA14,000 per bag. The NSCT explained, “This decision is aimed at relieving producers in the face of the general rise in input costs on the international market.”

This article was initially published in French by Esaïe Edoh

Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho

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