Egypt’s cotton exports fell by 54.2 per cent in the second quarter of the agricultural season 2015-2016. Cotton exports between December 2014 and February 2015 reached 112.7 quintals compared to 246 quintals in the same period last year.

The decline in exports is attributed to a decline in the amount of cotton harvested this year. Cotton crop, which has been one of Egypt’s leading agricultural export crops, has seen a number of crises over the past years leading to a deterioration in its quality and decline in its exports.

Last month, Egypt agreed to set a guarantee price to buy cotton from local farmers so as to enable farmers to earn higher profits. Suggestions on how to enhance cotton cultivation methods have been invited. Local consumption of cotton declined to reach 76.4 thousand quintals while during the same period last year local consumption reached 175.8 thousand quintals. Spinning and weaving in Egypt depend primarily on cotton.

The largest importer of Egyptian cotton in the global market is India. Egypt produces medium long staple, long staple and extra long staple cotton. These cottons produce a wide range of yarn counts needed for the production of fine textiles.