Keypoints:
- Cotton production forecast at nearly 336,000 tonnes
- Output expected to rise 15 percent year-on-year
- Expanded planting area drives sector recovery
BURKINA Faso is forecast to increase cotton production by 15 percent in the 2025–2026 harvest season, with output expected to reach close to 336,000 tonnes, signalling a recovery for one of the country’s most important export crops.
The projection was reported by Ecofin Agency, citing estimates from the Regional Programme for Integrated Cotton Production in Africa (PR-PICA), which monitors cotton performance across West and Central Africa.
Cotton remains a cornerstone of Burkina Faso’s rural economy, supporting millions of farmers and contributing significantly to export revenues. The latest outlook offers cautious optimism after several seasons marked by falling yields, rising input costs and declining farmer participation.
A turning point for Burkina Faso’s cotton sector
If achieved, the forecast would represent Burkina Faso’s strongest cotton harvest in four years, easing pressure on farm incomes and improving export earnings at a time when the Sahelian nation continues to face economic and security challenges.
The projected growth is driven primarily by an expansion in cultivated land, combined with modest improvements in yields, rather than a dramatic productivity surge.
Expanded acreage underpins output growth
According to PR-PICA data cited by Ecofin Agency, cotton farmers increased the total planted area by around 13 percent, bringing acreage for the 2025–2026 campaign to approximately 391,407 hectares.
The expansion reflects renewed confidence among producers following improvements in fertiliser availability and input distribution compared with the previous season.
Average yields are forecast to rise slightly, increasing 2 percent to roughly 861 kilograms per hectare, contributing to the overall production gain.
Recovery after years of contraction
Burkina Faso’s cotton sector has struggled in recent years.
Seed cotton output fell from nearly 519,000 tonnes in the 2021–2022 season to 292,660 tonnes in 2024–2025, representing a decline of more than 40 percent over three consecutive seasons.
The downturn was attributed to erratic rainfall patterns, higher production costs and waning farmer engagement in major cotton-growing regions.
The 2025–2026 forecast therefore marks a notable reversal after a prolonged slump.
Regional rankings could shift
A stronger cotton harvest could also alter regional production rankings within the CFA franc zone.
While Benin and Mali are expected to retain their positions as the region’s leading producers, Burkina Faso could overtake Cote d’Ivoire, where cotton output is projected to decline to about 317,000 tonnes.
Such a shift would restore Burkina Faso as the third-largest cotton producer in Francophone West Africa, a position it has historically occupied.
Climate remains the key uncertainty
Despite the positive outlook, weather conditions remain the sector’s most significant risk.
Ecofin Agency notes that rainfall distribution — particularly during the critical flowering and boll-formation stages between September and October — will be decisive in determining final yields.
Previous seasons have shown that even modest rainfall deficits can sharply reduce output, underscoring the fragility of cotton production across the Sahel.
Economic importance remains high
Cotton remains Burkina Faso’s leading agricultural export and a vital source of rural employment.
A sustained recovery would strengthen foreign exchange earnings, support agro-industrial activity and provide fiscal breathing room as the government seeks to stabilise the broader economy.
While challenges persist, the projected 15 percent rise in production suggests the country’s cotton belt may be entering a period of gradual stabilisation.
