The Cotton Company of Zimbabwe (COTTCO) has announced plans to receive a 60-tonne oil-expressing plant from a Chinese partner, which is expected to arrive during the first or second quarter of 2025.
The plant will be installed in Gokwe, a region chosen for its high processing capacity and population, according to acting CEO Rockie Mutenha.
In addition to this, COTTCO is progressing with its green energy initiative to provide power to the Muzarabani ginnery, which has faced ongoing electricity challenges. Mutenha mentioned that the energy generated will exceed the ginneries’ needs, with excess power being channeled into the national grid to benefit other users in the area. While discussions with financial and technical partners are still ongoing, the green energy project is expected to take off within the year.
Mutenha also provided an update on the current cotton planting season, introducing a new farmer classification system to optimize input distribution. The system categorizes farmers based on their past performance, with three levels: gold (for those with 4 hectares or more of cotton), silver (1 to 3 hectares), and bronze (less than 1 hectare or practicing Pfumvudza/Intwasa).
Regarding the crop’s progress, Mutenha explained that the season has been delayed, with much of the crop still in early growth stages. He stated that around 12% of the crop has just emerged, while 31% is at the two-to-four-leaf stage, and 32% is between four and six leaves. There are hopes for a successful harvest if favorable rainfall continues through February and March.
In terms of financial matters, COTTCO has made full payment of 100% of its foreign currency obligations from the previous year, covering 75% of the total amount. However, a remaining balance of US$400,000 is still to be paid in local currency, but Mutenha reassured that the company intends to settle this before the start of the 2025 marketing season.
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