Egypt - At A Glance: Exports Increased For Three Years

By Jim.Robinson|January 27, 2009

During the five-year period between 2000 and 2005, Egyptian cotton consumption grew steadily, reaching 1.1 million bales in 2005. Since that time, consumption has remained flat while total production has increased from 938,000 bales to 1.05 million bales in 2007/08. Land planted to cotton has remained fairly stable since 2005, but yields have increased by more than 150 kilograms/hectare. As production outpaced domestic use, cotton exports rose to almost 600,000 bales in 2007/08, bringing more long- and extra-long staple Egyptian cotton into the international marketplace.

As variety development and research continues in the Egyptian cotton sector, spurred by investment and increased privatization, production could increase due to higher yields. Because of climate conditions, Egypt’s cotton doesn’t face as much competition from alternative crops as other countries, and hectares shouldn’t see the dramatic drop that’s effecting other regions around the globe.

4 Sidebars (add tables/graphics):
Total Cotton Production (in 1,000 480-pound bales)

Average Cotton Yield (kilograrms/hectare)

Total Cotton Exports (in 1,000 480-pound bales)