WT/CFMC/W/60/Rev.1  
 
2 July 2015  
(15-3400)  Page: 1/9  
  Original: English  
 
 DIRECTOR-GENERAL'S CONSULTATIVE FRAMEWORK 
MECHANISM ON COTTON 
COMMUNICATION FROM THE REPUBLIC OF THE SUDAN 
Revision 
 
 The following communication, dated 26 June 2015,  is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of the Republic of the Sudan. 
 
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1  COTTON IN THE SUDAN 
1.1.  The agricultural sector, historically, generated the bulk of Sudan's foreign exchange earnings 
through a diversified basket of exports that includes cotton, gum arabic, livestock, sesame, and a 
number of smaller commodities. 
1.2.  The sector provides employment for ab out 70% of the country's population, generates 
around one-third of the total GDP, and provides inputs to many major manufacturing industries 
(e.g., edible oils, leather, and sugar). Several of the major exports (e.g., sheep and gum arabic) 
are produced in traditional rain-fed areas and provide critical sources of income for the rural poor (DTIS 2008).  
1.3.  Cotton  is a strategic crop for the Sudanese population. It is a source of employment which 
generates income that satisfies families' needs an d services, stimulating the stability, development 
and security of the population. Cotton is a source of foreign currency earnings, in addition to its 
by-products used as
 fodder for livestock and as fuel for transportation and other services' sectors. 
2  COTTON PRODUCTION  2.1  History  
2.1.  Knowledge of cotton planting in Sudan goes back to the XIX century when it was grown for 
the first time in Eastern Sudan (Tokar area). Commercial growing started in 1905 at Zeidab Pilot Scheme in Northern Sudan. The year 1925 was a landmark in irrigated agricultural production in Sudan, following the establishment of the Sennar dam. Since then, cotton assumes a leading role 
as a cash crop. 
2.2  Organization 2.2.  The organization of cotton production in Sudan started through the establishment of a large 
governmental administration with the participation of farmers. After the enforcement of the Gezira 
Scheme Act for the year 2005, this relationship st arted to change and the major feature of this 
change was the relaxation of the Government's strong grip on the sector. The stage is now set for 
different options targeting a smart participation between the Government, farmers and the private 
sector. WT/CFMC/W/60/Rev.1 
 
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  2.3  Major Varieties  
a. Barakat (90) . The major extra-long staple (ELS) variety (33-36 mm), early maturing and 
high–yielding, The variety is comparable to traditional  Barakat in fibre characteristics , superior in both fineness and strength (34-41 HVI). The bulk is grown in Gezira 
(irrigated, hand-picked and roller-ginned). 
b. Barac (67) Acala. It is a Medium Staple Cotton, both roller and saw-ginned, the variety is 
known for its good micronaire value (3.8 - 4.2) and bright colour. 
c. Albar (57) 12 and Acrain. The coarse count cottons Albar (57) 12 Known as (Nuba ) and 
(Acrain) are short staple rain–grown cottons. 
d. Abdin. It is a fine – count cotton variety, early maturing with the following 
characteristics:            
i. Highly resistant to both bacterial blight races in Sudan (32.0 mm) (33 - 37g/tex). 
ii. Higher degree of tolerance to jassid. 
iii. 60% increase in yield over Shambat – B. 
iv. Staple length  32- 31. 
v. Micronaire 4.2 - 4.4. 
vi. Strength 33-37 (HVI). 
e. Hamid (BB – 82) . It is a medium-count, high-yielding, early-maturing and open canopy. 
Hamid can be recommended for integr ated Crop Management (28.0 mm). 
2.4  Newly Released Varieties   2.3.  Sudan has recently released nine varieties, two of which commenced commercial production 
(Abdin & Hamid). The other seven are: 
a. Siddig (Sudan Pima) . It is a selection from a cross between Barakat – 90 and Pima. It is 
a Fusarium Wilt-resistant variety (33 mm). 
b. Hadi (Okra–leaf Barakat) . It is a selection from a cross between Barakat - 90 and Pima 
Okra, early-maturing and high-yielding (33 mm). 
c. Kheiralla . It is a high-count Acala (HCA) jassid-resistant, excelling Nour in yield and 
fineness (29 - 31 mm). 
d. Knight (BB - 90) . A medium-count cultivar resistant to bacterial blight (29 - 30 mm). 
e. Wager . It is a high-yielding variety, adapta ble over a wide range of environments. 
Wager has longer fibre length, and better micronaire value than Hamid. 
f. Burhan . Suited for rain–fed areas, more prone to late-drought problems.  Burhan gave 
average lint yield advantage over Albar (57) 12, Almac (80) 15 and Acrain . 
g. Khalifa . It is suitable cultivar for commercial production in rain-fed areas of Southern 
kordofan and Blue Nile regions of the Sudan. Khalifa excelled Albar (57) 12, Almac (80) 
15 and Acrain for yield. 
 
 WT/CFMC/W/60/Rev.1 
 
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  Table 1 Cotton production during 2001-2013 seasons 
 
IN TONNES  
Season E.L.S.  M.S.  S.S. + Others  Total  
Barakat  Acala Nour Nuba + Acrain  
2001 17,689 53,945 0 297 71,931 
2002 25,315 43,358 0 69 68,742 
2003 45,497 34,163 0 1,880 81,540 
2004 40,290 25,124 0 142 65,556 
2005 42,273 23,063 16,305 0 81,641 
2006 36,038 3,002 32,567 0 71,607 
2007 29,683 28,723 0 0 58,406 
2008 14,228 8,523 0 0 22,751 
2009 8,593 20,903 0 0 29,496 
2010 4,727 9,993 0 0 14,670 
2011 0 1,751 0 14,249 16,000 
2012 0 50,000 0 47,920 97,920 
2013 0 1,430 0 15,570 17,000 
 
Table 2 Sudan cotton export s by variety (2001-2014) 
 
IN BALES OF 420 LBS  
Year Barakat Shambat Acala Nour Others  Total
2001 54,241 100 163,777 0 0 218,118 
2002 76,517 0 312,900 0 0 389,417 
2003 269,037 2,000 209,400 0 1899 482,336 
2004 218,264 0 118,184 0 7875 344,323 
2005 284,957 0 147,328 34,675 0 466,960 
2006 154,762 0 125,850 74,030 0 354,642 
2007 160,085 0 129,518 4,404 0 294,007 
2008 103,793 0 77,951 0 0 181,744 
2009 57,994 0 74,369 0 0 132,363 
2010 97,126 0 55,296 0 0 152,422 
2011 11,041 0 26,599 0 0 37,640 
2012 13,383 0 0 0 0 13,383 
2013 63,931 0 104,763 0 0 168,694 
2014 13,140 0 13,567 0 0 26,707 
 WT/CFMC/W/60/Rev.1 
 
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  Table 3 Sudan cotton exports by variet y and destination (from 1 January to 
31 December 2014) 
 
 
 
  
 
   
 
  
 
  
 
   
 
 
Table 4 Domestic production, consumption and trade in cotton (average 2000-2004) 
 
Crop/ 
Product Production 
(M.T.)  Domestic Consumption Exports/Imports  
Quantity 
(M.T.)Production 
(%)Quantity 
(M.T.)  Production 
(%)  
Cotton (long 
staple) 37,672  2,260 6.0  35,412 94 
Cotton 
(medium 
staple) 41,576  2,495  2.4 39,082  94 
 
Source: Annual Reports of the Central Bank of Sudan (DTIS2008). 
 
2.4.  The sector is linked to the poverty-reduction efforts, particularly through the income of 
farmers, and a number of families depend on it as the main source of income for them to have 
access to food, education and health. In addition to that, cotton production has helped improve cereal production, hence contributing to food security.   
2.5.  The Sudanese cotton is of very high qual ity and has a comparative advantage. At the same 
time, the facts have made evident that the global cotton market is characterized by slow demand; rapid productivity growth; new entrants into the market; downward price trends, and price 
volatility. Sudan's cotton exports are undermined by industrial country subsidies, which depress 
world prices for cotton.  
2.6.  The production and export of cotton have de clined sharply over the past decade due to poor 
margins. Factors contributing to the low profitability and productivity include: high cost of 
production and low international prices that affect cultivated areas and productivity leading to the 
deterioration of the irrigation infrastructure in the Irrigated Schemes, poor management of water distribution and maintenance, and prevent the adoption of new technologies. 
2.5  Factors Encouraging Cotton Production 
a. The availability of water resources: rain, rivers and surface water. 
b.  Diversified farming systems. IN TONNES  
Country Total
Arabic Country  
Egypt 8,294 
Total 8,294 
Asian Country  
China 17,293 
India 3,754 
Indonesia 105 
Sri Lanka 332 
Total  21,484 
European Country  
Belarus 56 
Czech Republic 79 
Germany 1,836 
Portugal 108 
Turkey 92 
Total 2,171 
GRAND TOTAL 31,949 WT/CFMC/W/60/Rev.1 
 
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  c. Vast land with diverse soil. 
d. Accumulated experiences. 
e. Ginneries and textile factories in addition to oil mills. 
2.5.1  Production Farming Systems 
2.7.  Sudan is one of the largest countries with appropriate climatic conditions and good 
infrastructure eligible for the cultivation of cotton which is produced in the following sectors:  
2.5.1.1  The Irrigated Sector 
2.8.  Currently 99% of the total area of cotton in  the irrigated sector involves the following areas: 
Gezera, Halfa, Suki. Blue Nile projects, White Nile projects, Alzaidab and Aliab. 
2.5.1.2  The Rain-fed Sector 2.9.  It involves the following areas: Gedarif, Sennar, Blue Nile, North Kordofan, South Kordofan, 
South Darfur, North Darfur and West Darfur. 
2.5.1.3  Flooding–Irrigated Sector  2.10.  It involves the following areas: Delta Tokar; Gash Delta and Khor Abu habil. The 
diversification of these cultivation systems provide a good environment for the sustainability of 
production, but the majority of cotton is grown in the Gezira Scheme New halfa, Alrahad, Asuki corporations. 
2.6  Cotton Exports  
2.11.  In the early 90's cotton was the most important agricultural export for Sudan accounting for 
35% to 45% of the value of exports in 1990/91, but the share declined to around 20% in the 
middle of the decade, and from 2000 to 2005 it averaged only 15% (see Tables 1, 2 and 3). 
2.12.   The importance of cotton production, consumption and trade for Sudan is very high in light 
of the sector's significant share in GDP, as a sh are of total merchandise and agriculture exports.  
Many households are dependent on the cotton sector and there is an urgent need to respond, in an 
integrated manner, to the challenges  faced by Sudan in this sector. 
2.7  Cotton Sector Reforms 2.13.  To continue with its cotton sector reforms, Sudan is in highly need of financial and technical 
assistance in the following areas:  
 Strengthening cotton production methods; increasing yield with new cotton varieties. 
 Improving the domestic competition in prod uction, distribution, buying and selling; 
legislative framework for investors, in order to achieve increased market efficiency. 
 
 Infrastructure improvement. 
 Commodity price-risk management strategies through the use of market-based 
instruments.  
 Support for quality control and standards in cotton production.  
 Enhancement and support for cotton sector support services and product sector strategy 
development.  
 Export promotion and market access support services. WT/CFMC/W/60/Rev.1 
 
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   Support for diversification and downstream value-added production in textiles and 
apparel. 
 Support for producers' organizations. 
 Involvement in the on-going Regional Cotton Technology Programmes; Regional 
Research Programmes; and, Regional Capacity Building Programmes (to be implemented 
by regional bodies within the framework of NEPAD). 
 Support for the rehabilitation of textile and clothing mills.   
 
Graphic 1 Cotton's contribution in the total agricultural exports, 1990-2013 
(million US$) 
 
 
  
 
  
 
   
 
  
 
  
 
 
Graphic 2 Area (Ha) and production  of cotton lint (MT), 1961-2013 
 
 
 
 
 
020406080100120140160180200
1990
1992 1994
1996
1998
2000
2002
2004
2006
2008
2010 2012WT/CFMC/W/60/Rev.1 
 
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  Graphic 3 Production and exports of cotton lint (MT), 1961-2013 
 
 
 
 
 
 
WT/CFMC/W/60/Rev.1 
 
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  Table 5 Domestic cotton sector reform s for enhanced development assistance 
 
Measure Description Implementation 
status/period Focal point Reform priorities 
Introduction of 
individual 
accounts Encouragement of 
farmers to be self-
dependent 1981/1982 Ministry of 
Agriculture, 
Sudan Maximize farmers' 
returns. Increase 
agricultural exports. 
Enhance socio-economic 
development 
Gezira 
rehabilitation 
project Rehabilitation of 
the scheme 
infrastructure (e.g. 
agriculture 
machinery, GL 
railways, irrigation 
network, storage 
capacity and 
ginneries) 1981/1992 IDA Adequacy and 
timeliness of 
agricultural inputs. 
Abundance of 
irrigation water. 
High ginning 
capacity and 
transportation. 
Proper land 
preparation 
New Halfa 
rehabilitation project Rehabilitation of 
the scheme infrastructure (e.g. 
agriculture 
machinery, irrigation network, 
storage capacity 
and ginneries) 1986/1987 Ministry of 
Agriculture, Sudan Adequacy and 
timeliness of agriculture 
operations. Proper 
land preparation. Abundance of 
irrigation water. 
High ginning capacity and 
transportation 
Adoption of 
liberalization 
policy Change from 
government fiancé 
to private fiancé 
through banks 
consortium 1992 Council of 
Ministers, 
Sudan Reallocation of 
resources. 
Encouragement of 
investment in the 
agriculture sector. 
Self-dependency 
Adoption of 
liberalization policy Cabinet decree for 
the abolishment of stabilization funds 
for agricultural 
exports – National equalization fund 1993/1994 Ministry of 
Finance and Ministry of 
Agriculture, 
Sudan Improve market 
environment. Self-dependency 
New Halfa 
scheme 
rehabilitation 
project Eradication of 
Moskeet tree from 
irrigation canals 
and irrigated areas. 
Rehabilitation of 
irrigation canals 2004 Ministry of 
Finance and 
Ministry of 
Agriculture, 
Sudan  Increase irrigation 
efficiency. Increase 
cultivated area and 
farmers' incomes WT/CFMC/W/60/Rev.1 
 
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  Measure Description Implementation 
status/period Focal point Reform priorities 
Enactment of 
the Gezira 
Scheme 2005 Act Realize farmers' 
free crop choice 
according to market signals 
(both local and 
international). Privatization of 
inputs supply and 
services. Liquidation of cost centres (e.g. 
ginneries, ag. 
engineering, GLR deps and other 
services. 
Restructuring of the scheme 
management 2005 Council of 
Ministers, 
Sudan. The National 
Council and 
the Presidency of the 
Republic of 
the Sudan Reallocation of 
resources. 
Encouragement of investment in the 
agricultural sector. 
Self-dependency. Farmers' 
participation in field 
management through water users' associations. 
Maximize farmers' 
returns. Better resource utilization. 
Enhance 
development and welfare of local 
communities. Food 
Security  
Agriculture 
Revival 
Programme Transform and 
modernize 
agriculture utilizing 
advanced 
technology, 
responsive to 
market signals 2006 Council of 
Ministries, 
Sudan Poverty-reduction, 
economic growth, 
foreign exchange 
earnings and 
sustainable 
management of 
natural resources 
Finance 
through the 
Sudan Cotton Company (farmers' 
institution) Production and 
marketing of cotton 
crop 2010/2013 Sudan Cotton 
Company - 
Khartoum, Sudan Encourage cotton 
production. 
Encourage research to introduce new high-yielding 
varieties (in 
quantity and quality). Buy seed 
cotton at farm gate. 
Transfer of ginning responsibility and 
marketing to the 
company (lint and seed). Avail inputs for other crops 
grown by cotton 
farmers against cotton proceeds. 
Replace old 
ginneries by high capacity ones 
Introduction of 
Bt (genetically 
modified) 
cotton Improve cotton 
productivity. 
Reduce production 
costs 2012/2014 Ministry of 
Agriculture, 
Sudan Maximize farmers' 
income. Increase 
cotton cultivated 
area. Reduce 
agrochemical 
inputs. Preservation 
of the environment 
  
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