With the season drawing to a close and gins processing the last of the raw cotton, the seventh harvest estimate remains unchanged at 66 149 bales of fibre, each weighing 200kg.
By Nico van Burick, senior journalist at African Farming and Landbouweekblad
This year’s cotton harvest is 27% lower than last year’s total of 90 118 bales of fibre. The smaller 2025 harvest can largely be attributed to fewer hectares planted: 12 672ha compared with 18 385ha in the previous season, a 31% decrease. Of the current total, 5 975ha are under irrigation and 6 697ha dryland. Late rains followed by extremely heavy rainfall in February were the main reasons for the reduced plantings.
Despite the drop in production, Dr Annette Bennett, CEO of Cotton SA, remains optimistic about the coming season. She says significantly more cotton is expected to be planted, supported by factors such as the anticipated fall in maize and soya bean prices. Work is also under way to improve the availability of better seed cultivars, and to secure access to affordable financing, particularly for smallholder farmers.
Bennett believes a new gin on the Springbok Flats in Limpopo will boost production in an area where cotton has traditionally been grown. “We are hoping for at least an additional 5 000ha under cotton, some of which will be irrigated,” she says.
She adds that a large farmer in Limpopo is also planning a new gin. Increased competition between gins – as well as greater access for farmers – will serve as a strong incentive to plant more cotton. At the same time, efforts are being made to encourage small-scale production through mentorship projects and a potential irrigation initiative on the Makhathini Flats.
Also read: Tsholo Maimane: Planting courage, growing opportunity
Small-Scale Production
The estimate for small-scale production remains at 4 746 bales of fibre, with harvesting still under way. Makhathini Cotton Gin continues to operate at full capacity. Smallholder plantings are estimated at 3 375ha, involving about 2 047 small-scale farmers.
To grow these numbers, better access to affordable harvesting equipment is essential. Cotton SA is planning a workshop on smallholder production to address issues such as planning, budgeting, production and processing.
According to the latest Cotton SA monthly report, the average South African cotton price between early July and early August – based on the Cotlook A Index, the daily benchmark for international raw cotton prices – fluctuated between R30,86 and R31,12 per kilogram.
Also read: Small-scale cotton farmers’ challenges
Global Trends
On the international stage, production continues to slightly exceed consumption. An estimated 25,9 million tonnes of cotton fibre will be produced, compared with expected consumption of 25,6 million tonnes.
Major producing countries are facing challenges such as rising production costs, relatively lower prices, growing competition from synthetic fibres, and the increasing negative impacts of climate change.
