Zimbabwean cotton producers are expected to benefit from international experts on crop production who will converge on Victoria Falls this week for the African Cotton Association congress.

The congress, to be held from Thursday to Saturday, is expected to see delegates from member states as well as supporting partners from Australia, Belgium, China, France, Germany, Italy, India, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States of America coming together to discuss issues affecting the production of the white gold.

In an interview last week, Cotton Ginners’ Association chairman Mr Godfrey Bhuka said the African Cotton Association was a forum for the exchange of information and ideas between its members on cross-cutting issues.

He disclosed that Zimbabwean producers are expected to benefit from presentations by experts on improving cotton quality and productivity as well as global cotton production and price trends.

He said local cotton producers, who are always moaning over market prices, would have the opportunity to understand how lint prices were determined.

“Lint prices are determined by supply and demand forces on the international market where presently the average price is currently on a downward spiral.

“Input prices vary from country to country and can be best addressed at another forum because these are dependent upon each country’s circumstances and a number of factors such as the extent to which they import their inputs and the cost of freight,’’ said Mr Bhuka.

He said some countries, however, mitigate their high production cost by offering subsidies.

Mr Bhuka said based on seed disbursements, between 450 000 and 500 000 hectares were put under cotton with the expected production ranging between 265 000 and 280 000 metric tonnes.

“These are only preliminary estimates and the final estimate will be made in April 2012,’’ he warned.

He said while Zimbabwe cotton had always fetched low prices, during the 2011 marketing season there was change for the better as local farmers received the highest price per kg compared to their counterparts in the region.

In Zambia the price averaged US68c/kg, Mozambican farmers were paid US70c/kg and Malawians got US68c/kg respectively while prices in Zimbabwe averaged US91c/kg. Zimbabwe cotton, which is handpicked, is said to be of high quality compared to other countries where picking is mechanised.

“In terms of the legislation, grading is done at the ginnery and is monitored by the AMA. There is provision for standards of classification and quality of seed cotton and lint in the cotton legislation.” said Mr Bhuka.

The Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development, Dr Joseph Made, and his Industry and Trade counterpart Professor Welshman Ncube are expected to be among the key speakers at the congress.