Mali's cotton production may fall by 1% YoY in MY 2022-23: USDA

Despite the high government subsidy on fertiliser prices, there was some delay in delivery caused by the trade embargo imposed on Mali by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in January this year and the consequences of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Both these events prevented Mali from receiving the full quantity of fertiliser inputs ordered, especially urea, and USDA thinks this lack will likely result in lower yields unless farmers use organic fertiliser to complement.

Cotton exports in MY 2022-23 are forecast at 1.58 million bales, a 32 per cent increase from the previous year due to available supply and higher ending stocks from the previous year. Estimated exports for MY 2021-22 are 1.20 million bales.

Stocks for MY 2022-23 are forecast at 10,000 bales. Stocks in MY 2021-22 are estimated at 210,000 bales, representing a 200 per cent increase from the previous MY. This increase in stocks is due to the logistical issues caused mainly by the ECOWAS embargo of Mali.

USDA estimates that the MY 2021-22 area under harvest and production levels will remain at the estimated 720,000 ha and 1.43 million bales, representing an 80 per cent and 91 per cent increase from the previous year respectively.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (DS)