The Cotton Development Corporation (Sodecoton) has announced it will export 1,000 tons of improved cotton seeds to Kenya during the 2026-2027 season. This announcement was made by Mr. Nadama, Director of Agricultural Production (DPA) at Sodecoton, during a presentation on the cotton sector on March 31, 2026, in Garoua.
This new export reinforces Sodecoton's position as an exporter of improved seeds since the 2019-2020 season. In total, the company has exported 18,570 tons of seeds to five African countries: Chad, Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, and Kenya. The largest volume was exported during the 2019-2020 season, with over 11,000 tons destined for Chad and Nigeria. Olam, through its Ivorian (Seco) and Chadian (CTSN) subsidiaries, is Sodecoton's main customer for improved seeds.
Mohamadou Bayero, General Manager of Sodecoton, attributes the success of Cameroonian seeds in Africa to their superior quality, recognized by the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture). Sodecoton's seeds are valued by both producers for their high yield and ginners for the quality of the fiber. According to Mr. Nadama, these seeds produce a highly sought-after long fiber and exhibit yields of 1,500 to 1,600 kg per hectare, exceeding the average of 1,200 kg for other varieties.
Despite these advantages, seed exports do not represent a significant source of revenue for Sodecoton. The company prioritizes these exports to improve its visibility in the African market. Thanks to the quality of its seeds, Sodecoton aims to reach a production of 440,000 tons of seed cotton as early as the 2026-2027 season, after a peak of 394,000 tons in 2023-2024.
Sodecoton's projections, controlled 89% by the Cameroonian State, target a production of 600,000 tons from 2029-2030, in accordance with the National Development Strategy 2020-2030 (SND30). Cotton is one of Cameroon's main export products and contributes significantly to the country's foreign exchange earnings. In 2024, Sodecoton's revenues reached CFA223.35 billion. Cameroon boasts the highest cotton yields in Africa, with 1.54 tons per hectare in the 2023-2024 season.
