WT/CFMC/W/60  
 
20 October 2014  
(14-6024)  Page: 1/9  
  Original: English  
 
 DIRECTOR-GENERAL'S CONSULTATIVE FRAMEWORK 
MECHANISM ON COTTON 
COMMUNICATION FROM THE REPUBLIC OF THE SUDAN 
 The following communication, dated 29 September 2014, 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 
 
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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 
 
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  COTTON PRODUCTION DURING TEN SEASONS (2001-2010) 
IN BALES OF 420 LBS
Season E.L.S.  M.S.  S.S. + Others  Total  
Barakat  Acala Nour Nuba + Acrain  
2001 97,292 296 ,695 0 1636 395 ,623 
2002 139 ,231 238 ,472 0 379 378 ,082 
2003 250 ,234 187 ,900 0 10,339 448 ,473 
2004 221 ,593 138 ,186 0 779 360 ,558 
2005 232 ,500 126 ,848 89,681 0 449 ,029 
2006 198 ,211 16,513 179 ,119 0 393 ,843 
2007 163260 157 ,977 0 0 321 ,237 
2008 78,257 46,877 0 0 125 ,134 
2009 47,260 114 ,971 0 0 162 ,231 
2010 26,000 54,960 0 0 80,690 
 
 
 
SUDAN COTTON EXPORTS BY VARIETY (2001-2010) 
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 
 
 
 
SUDAN COTTON EXPORTS BY VARIETY AND DESTINATION  
(FROM 1 JANUARY TO 31 DECEMBER 2010) - IN BALES OF 420 LBS
Country Barakat Acala Total
Arabic Country    
Egypt 1,551 55,296 56,847 
Total 1,551 55,296 56,847 
Asian Country    
Bangladesh 30,755 0 30,755 
China 13,594 0 13,594 
Pakistan 21,114 0 21,114 
India 15,662 0 15,662 
Indonesia 809 0 809 
Thailand 4,789 0 4,789 
Japan 405 0 405 
Total  87,128 0 87,128 
European Country    
Germany 7,747 0 7,747 
Portugal 100 0 100 
Italy 600 0 600 
Total 8,447 0 8,447 
GRAND TOTAL 97,126 55,296 152,422 
 
 
  WT/CFMC/W/60 
 
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DOMESTIC PRODUCTION, CONSUM PTION 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. 
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. WT/CFMC/W/60 
 
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  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. 
 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.   
 
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GAPHIC 1 
 
COTTON'S CONTRIBUTION IN THE TOTAL AGRICULTURAL EXPORTS 
1990-2007 (MILLION US$) 
  
 
 
 
  
GRAPHIC 2 
 
AREA (HA) AND PRODUCTION OF COTTON LINT (MT) 
1960-2005 
 
 
 
 
 
 WT/CFMC/W/60 
 
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GRAPHIC 3 
 
PRODUCTION AND EXPORTS OF COTTON SEED (MT) 
1960-2005 
  
 
 
 
 WT/CFMC/W/60 
 
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  TABLE 1 
 
TABLE ON DOMESTIC COTTON SECTOR REFORMS 
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 
 
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  TABLE ON DOMESTIC COTTON SECTOR REFORMS 
FOR ENHANCED DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE 
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 2010/213 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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