Cotton SA's new leadership to focus on expansion

The cotton industry in South Africa has gone through monumental changes over the past few decades. Witnessing these changes front and centre has been Cotton SA CEO Hennie Bruwer. Now retired, he spoke to Lindi Botha about the lessons learnt, while acting CEO Dr Annette Bennett shared the way forward

- Lindi Botha

What have been some of the biggest changes in the industry over the past 40 years?

Hennie Bruwer (HB): Since the late 1980s, there has been a definite downward trend in cotton production. The deregulation of agriculture during the 1990s had a major impact on cotton production, as support services to producers were terminated overnight. The industry never recovered from the setback.

The industry has set a target that 20% of national production should come from smallholder farmers by 2030. Current estimated production is about 15% of the national crop.

One thing I very much hope for the industry is that production will stabilise at a minimum of 250 000 bales of cotton lint, with the goal of growing this to one million bales. I’d also like to see producers owning more of the value chain. Forward integration into the value chain is of utmost importance for farmers to survive in a challenging and ever-changing environment.

What have been some of your highlights over the past 46 years in the cotton industry?

HB: I was pleased with the continuation of industry services and statutory measures after the dissolution of the marketing boards in 1997, with Cotton SA as the administering body in terms of the Marketing Act. We were one of only two industries that opted for this option at the time. We developed other income streams to support levy revenue, and since the inception of Cotton SA in 1998, income resources other than levies have contributed to 55% of total revenue.