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Abidjan - Ivory Coast has revised the forecast for its 2014-15 cotton production higher to at least 450 000 tons from 420 000 tons previously on the back of a bumper crop harvest.
The country - the world biggest cocoa producer - was also one of West Africa's major cotton exporters, with an annual output of about 400 000 tons, before a 2002-2003 civil war split the country in two and halved production.
Output has been rising steadily over the past five years and authorities announced plans in June to boost production to 600 000 tons in the next two years.
Boost output
"We produced 405 000 tons in the last season. For 2014-15, we are expecting over 450 000 tons," said Lacino Tuo, the president of Intercoton.
"If the rains hold steady, we could have a record production this year because farmers were very motivated," Tuo said, adding that farmers received inputs that have helped boost output.
Cotton planting in Ivory Coast generally starts in the second half of May with the first rains and harvesting begins slowly in late October before picking up sharply in December.
