Arabfields, Ngab Niyonzima, special correspondent, Gitega Province, Burundi — Tanzanian authorities project a notable recovery in the country’s cotton sector for the 2025/2026 season, with seed cotton output expected to reach 222,057 tonnes. This figure represents a substantial 48 percent increase from the previous season’s low of 149,361 tonnes, offering a measure of relief to farmers who endured challenging conditions.
Renatus Luneja, principal agricultural officer at the Tanzania Cotton Board, shared these expectations during a recent discussion with local media. He noted that harvesting operations are scheduled to commence in May 2026. While the anticipated volume marks progress, it falls short of the initial target set at the beginning of the season, which had aimed for around 400,000 tonnes.
The prior year’s shortfall stemmed largely from adverse weather patterns, including a prolonged drought that affected key growing areas between January and February. Such conditions reduced yields across several regions, contributing to one of the lowest harvests in recent memory. Farmers in the Lake Victoria zone, in particular, faced delays in planting due to erratic rainfall, which compounded the difficulties.
As East Africa’s leading cotton producer, Tanzania relies on the crop as a vital cash commodity. It ranks as the fourth-largest source of agricultural export earnings, following cashew nuts, tobacco, and coffee. Approximately 80 percent of the output is exported in raw fiber form, generating important foreign exchange for the economy. Over the 2020-2024 period, average annual export revenues from cotton stood at approximately 209.8 billion Tanzanian shillings, equivalent to about 80.8 million US dollars, with a peak of 245.9 billion shillings in 2023.
Industry observers point to persistent volatility in production levels since the 2019/2020 season, when output approached 350,000 tonnes. Subsequent years have seen figures fluctuate, rarely surpassing the 300,000-tonne threshold. This inconsistency has affected the livelihoods of thousands of smallholder farmers who depend on cotton for income.
Looking ahead, the Tanzania Cotton Board has established a goal of lifting production to 300,000 tonnes in the 2026/2027 season. Officials believe that improved weather stability, combined with ongoing support measures for growers, could facilitate this advance. Such efforts would help strengthen the sector’s contribution to national development and enhance resilience against climatic uncertainties.
Analysts suggest that sustained progress in the coming years will depend on several factors. These include better access to quality inputs, enhanced extension services for farmers, and investments in irrigation infrastructure to mitigate drought risks. If realized, the projected rebound could bolster export revenues and provide a more stable economic foundation for rural communities engaged in cotton cultivation.
The sector’s trajectory remains closely watched by stakeholders, as cotton continues to play a meaningful role in Tanzania’s agricultural landscape. With careful management and favorable conditions, the industry holds potential for further growth beyond the immediate recovery phase.
