Ethiopian cotton exports yet to pick up after ban ends

07 Aug '12

2 min read

Cotton exports from Ethiopia remained subdued during the financial year ending July 7, 2012, even after the Government lifted an 18-month ban on cotton exports in March.

Ethiopia, situated in the horn of Africa, exported only 183 tons of cotton during the fiscal year, although the country produced several thousand tons of surplus cotton during the period.

Portugal accounted for most of Ethiopian cotton exports, which fetched the country 5.1 million birr, according to the data released by the Ministry of Trade.

The fact that cotton exports did not pick up after the ban was lifted point to the continuation of stringent requirements by the Textile Development Institute and the Ministry of Trade, the Ethiopian Cotton Producers and Experts Association said.

The Ethiopian Government had banned export of cotton so that the local textile manufacturers have sufficient supply and there is no shortage of raw material for them.

Subsequently, the Government urged 15 textile companies to buy the surplus cotton, but they were able to purchase only 4,000 tons of the total available 10,000 tons. Thus, cotton growers were ultimate sufferers because of the Government policy, according to the Association.

Last fiscal, Ethiopian textile sector earned US$ 84.6 million from exports, about 50 percent lower than the targeted US$ 171.4 million by the Government.

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India

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