(Ecofin Agency) - Mozambique’s two main cotton farmers associations forecast output for the 2017/18 season at 70,000 tons. If confirmed, it would mean output for that season would have increased by 3,000 tons compared to that of ending 2015/16 season.

Despite the slight increase, production is still far from the crop’s golden age in the 1972/73 season when the country produced 144,000 tons of cotton. However, Mozambique’s output for the crop could surge after decades slumping if the national cotton institute succeeds in achieving its ambition to raise output to 200,000 tons by 2020.

Regarding sales prices for the coming season, the Cotton Association of Mozambique (AAM) and the National Forum of Cotton Producers FONPA) said they will be revealed in April 2017 as they meet. For the ending season, first grade seed cotton was purchased at 14.5 meticals per kilo and second grade seed cotton at 10.5 meticals per kg.

Macauhub recalls that China and Bengladesh are Mozambique’s main cotton buyers.

Aaron Akinocho