Cotton exports from Egypt increased to 128,300 metric quintals during September-November 2018, registering an increase of 45.1 per cent over exports made during the corresponding period of the previous agricultural year, the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) said in its quarterly newsletter for the first quarter of 2018-19.
The consumption of cotton in the domestic market, however, fell to 25,700 metric quintals during the period under review, showing a fall of 42.2 per cent year-on-year, the newsletter said. The sharp drop in domestic consumption was due to suspension of manufacturing activities by some textile factories in the country.
In December last year, the Egyptian government appointed an official steering committee to safeguard the future of the Egyptian cotton brand. Egyptian cotton fibres are considered by many to be the best because of their length, strength, and softness.
The new steering committee, appointed by the minister of trade & industry, is responsible for the licensing and promotion of Egyptian cotton globally, as well as policing the integrity of the supply chain to ensure full compliance, traceability, and transparency. The Cotton Egypt Association (CEA) is also a part of the new structure.
