Cameroon’s cotton development company Sodecoton expects cotton seed production to reach 440,000 tons during the 2025/2026 campaign, according to forecast data reviewed by Business in Cameroon.
If achieved, the result would mark an increase of 100,000 tons year-on-year and set a new record for the national cotton industry, which would surpass the 400,000-ton threshold for the first time.
The target aligns with the country’s National Development Strategy 2020–2030 (SND30), which aims to raise production to 600,000 tons by 2030.
However, achieving this objective still depends on several major uncertainties.
Sodecoton identifies two main threats: climate disruptions causing floods in production areas during heavy rains between August and September, and the spread of jassids, insect pests that directly attack cotton plants.
In other words, meeting production targets will depend less on the mobilization of the 150,000 to 200,000 farmers supervised by the company than on the sector’s ability to contain climate and phytosanitary shocks.
The previous campaign illustrates the challenge. While production of 400,000 tons had been projected for 2024/2025, actual output ultimately reached only 286,000 tons, leaving a shortfall of 114,000 tons compared with initial forecasts.
11,000 hectares destroyed in 2024
According to Nadama, Sodecoton’s director of agricultural production, floods and jassid infestations are placing increasing pressure on Cameroon’s cotton industry.
During a presentation on the sector held in Garoua on March 31, 2026, the official detailed the combined impact of the two shocks on production.
Between 2023 and 2025, cultivated areas declined from 234,000 hectares to 197,000 hectares.
In 2024, about 11,000 hectares were completely destroyed, while another 17,000 hectares were partially affected by jassid attacks, according to official data.
Yields have also deteriorated. Average productivity fell from 1,600 kilograms per hectare to 1,300 kg/ha.
According to Sodecoton, the decline in productivity causes annual revenue losses exceeding CFA10 billion for the sector.
The situation is also weakening repayment of agricultural loans granted to farmers at the start of each campaign.
Outstanding arrears have now reached CFA2 billion, the company said.
The main reason is the losses suffered by farmers, which prevent many producers from meeting repayment obligations. Some eventually abandon cotton farming altogether.
Despite these difficulties, cotton remains a strategic export product for Cameroon.
According to Sodecoton, the crop accounts for 6% of the country’s non-oil exports and 14.1% of GDP generated by the export agriculture sector.
Brice R. Mbodiam
