In the African Franc Zone, production is forecast at 3.1 million bales, a 2-percent increase from a year ago. Harvested area in the region is forecast to rise 2 percent from a year ago to nearly 1.9 million hectares. In Mali, Burkina, and Benin, the 2012/13 crops are forecast at 800,000 bales, 700,000 bales, and 400,000 bales, respectively, in 12/13. In Mali and Burkina, the crops will be unchanged from the previous year, whereas in Benin, the projection represents a 7-percent increase from a year ago.
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)