In 2019/20, cotton area harvested is forecast to drop by almost 30 percent to 102,000 ha, from 142,000 ha in 2018/19. The total production decrease to 67,000 tons, down from 124,000 tons last season; a 30 percent decrease. The decrease attributes to the low price of cotton in 2018 and the devaluation of US Dollar against the Egyptian Pound. High carryover from the previous season decreased prices and discouraged farmers from planting cotton in 2019. In 2019/20, imports are forecast to increase to 120,000 tons.

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has launched “The Egyptian Cotton Project” to advance sustainability of the whole Egyptian cotton value-chain. One of the key activities is to train cotton farmers on more sustainable cotton production practices.

Source: Country Report Egypt, ICAC Annual Assembly, Brisbane, Dec 2019

Bremen Cotton Report 11-12 of the Bremen Cotton Exchange