Cotton production in West Africa over the period 2022/2023 is facing difficulties, with production and productivity falling among the main producers facing fertilizer crises and pest attacks. This crisis will have repercussions on the living standards of producers. But Benin is spared.

The Malian cotton campaign promises to be gloomy. Expected returns are down by 45 to 50%. Pests called jassides have invaded and are damaging crops. They are devastating the main production areas. According to Youssouf Djimé Sidibé, executive secretary of the African Cotton Producers Association (Aproca), “most cotton producers will be in default.” Then, according to him, producers borrow to be able to farm, and repayment depends on the harvest.

In most countries, he notes, “cotton companies buy the inputs and distribute them to producers on credit. And, depending on the harvest, at the time of marketing, the cotton company takes the value of the inputs, says Youssouf Djimé Sidibé. Today, producers will not be able to repay the debt.” Burkina Faso is experiencing a less dramatic situation. However, fertilizer distribution has not been optimal and the attacks of jasids, although less severe than in Mali, have had an impact on yields.