We source Kenya Cotton from family growers in the country. Kenya cotton is one of the essential crops for the country’s once vibrant textile industry. The nation has a production potential of 260,000 tons but on average it produces around 38,000 metric tons.
How much Croton & cotton oil has Eni shipped from Kenya?
However, on the same May 2023 call with investors Eni stated it had shipped 300 tonnes of croton and cotton oil from Kenya in October 2022, and that “due to subsequent production we are in the process of sending the first cargo of vegetable oils of about 4,000 tonnes in bulk” [mainly castor oil it had been stockpiling].
Why is cotton production so expensive in Kenya?
The cost of cotton production in Kenya is comparatively high due to low productivity. Average yields are below those achieved by other producers, mostly due to; poor seeds, reliance on rain- fed farming, high exposure to pests, inadequate financial resources and poor management practices.
Is seed cotton enough for ginning capacity in Kenya?
The local supply of seed cotton is not enough to meet ginning capacity. Before sub-sector liberalization, over 90% of Kenya’s ginneries were owned by farmer cooperatives who also marketed cotton for farmers. However, most Cooperatives ceased operations after the sub-sector downturn when farmers transitioned away from cotton cultivation.
Why is Kenyan cotton uncompetitive?
Cotton is a resource-intensive cash crop. In Kenya there is low application of inputs; fertilizer and pesticides despite having low soil fertility, poor quality seeds and extension service system. This leads to low yields thus increasing the unit cost of production hence making Kenyan cotton uncompetitive in the region.
Why should you buy Kenya Cotton?
You should buy Kenya cotton because it grows under the optimal irrigated conditions in the lowlands of Western Kenya and the Coast. The crop thrives at the ideal temperatures of 18 to 30 degrees Celsius, which much of Kenya’s countryside supports.