The total area under cotton cultivation this season has increased by 100,000 feddans on a year-on-year basis to about 321,787 feddans. The growth in area under cotton is due to demand for Egyptian cotton in export markets. In the quarter (Q2) from December 2017 to February 2018, Egyptian cotton exports soared by 181.6 per cent to 379,000 tons.If the current export demand trend continues, cotton growing area in Egypt is likely to be around 400,000 feddans next year.
After witnessing a steep decrease in cotton production in 2016, the ministry of agriculture took steps to increase productivity of long-staple and medium-length cotton.
At present, cotton is prominently grown in Kafr el-Sheikh, Behaira, Dakhalia and Sharkia provinces. It is also grown to an extent in Al-Fayoum and Gharbia provinces.
Meanwhile, the domestic use of cotton has declined by 63 per cent to 47,200 kantars (1 kantar equals 45.02 kg) in Q2, as against the use of 127,600 kantars during Q2 of the previous year, according to the data released by the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS).
Source: The Statesman, India Thursday, 15 November 2018