PRESS RELEASE – FORUM 2025
Dear Members,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Thank you to all of you who came, often from far away, to participate in our cotton meeting in Deauville. This wonderful event, which brought together all cotton producers and regions, saw the entire industry involved directly or indirectly in the raw cotton trade come together.
The French Cotton Association, which celebrated its 135th anniversary this year, met in Deauville on Monday, September 29, and Tuesday, September 30, 2025.
More than 300 people from five continents took part in our event.
For half a century, the AFCOT forum has brought together all the players in the international cotton industry every year. It is one of the leading international cotton events. Traders, producers, exporters, inspectors, freight forwarders, as well as banks, shipping companies, insurance companies, professional federations, public bodies, and research institutes: everyone contributes to presenting the different facets of the cotton sector, its professions, its developments, and its prospects. For two days, all eyes were on the AFCOT forum.
Participants gathered on Monday, September 29 for a welcome cocktail reception at the Bar du Soleil under sunny skies on the boardwalk in Deauville. This was followed by a cocktail dinner for all participants at the Bar du Soleil.
Tuesday, September 30 began with a seminar organized by the French Cotton Association (AFCOT) and the African Cotton Association (ACA). The discussions were led by AFCOT President Thierry DEVILDER and ACA President Kassoum KONE.
Antonia PRESCOTT, Director of COTTON OUTLOOK, Philippe CHALMIN, Founder of Cercle CYCLOPE, and Damien POMMERET from The WOOLMARK COMPANY took turns addressing topics that are central to the cotton industry.
To view their presentations and photos of the various events, visit the AFCOT website under the heading “Our Events” and then “Deauville Forum 2025.”
All participants were then invited to a convivial lunch.
Participants gathered for an early evening cocktail reception in the Salon O2, followed by a gala dinner in the Salon des Ambassadeurs at the Casino Barrière in Deauville.
In his speech, the AFCOT president recalled the highlights of this cotton year and those of our association. His speech is also available online on our website.
The president, the Executive Committee, and the General Secretariat of AFCOT would like to thank the three speakers and all those who honored us with their presence.
Cotton meeting in Deauville on September 29 and 30, 2025
Only the spoken word is authentic
Speach of Mr Thierry DEVILDER
President of AFCOT
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear friends,
Allow me to interrupt your conversations for a moment to welcome you once again to this 135th dinner, which brings our French Cotton Association Forum to a close.
It is always a pleasure to see you again at this unmissable event here in Deauville, after a busy day of discussions, conferences and seminars organised under the joint patronage of the African Cotton Association and the French Cotton Association.
I would like to extend a warm welcome to all my counterparts from the cotton associations who are here this evening, and in particular to Mr Kassoum Koné, President of the African Cotton Association, who will do us the honour of speaking during this dinner, not forgetting to mention his illustrious predecessor Ibrahim Malloum, who did so much to promote and defend African cotton.
I would also like to express my gratitude to the members of the Executive Committee who entrusted me with the heavy task of succeeding Laurent Peyre. I thank them for their confidence.
Finally, my thanks also go to our three brilliant speakers this morning – Ms Antonia Prescott, Mr Philippe Chalmin and Mr Damien Pommeret – for their insightful analyses and their always invaluable insights.
Tonight, we are nearly 300 participants, coming from nearly forty countries and representing every continent. In a world marked by divisions and uncertainties, it is comforting and inspiring to see our cultures, languages and traditions in all their diversity brought together around cotton fibre.
I would like to extend a special thought to those who have crossed seas and continents to join us – sometimes even braving the maze of administrative formalities! – and whose presence among us is an honour. Your commitment testifies to the vitality and strength of our industry.
At the dawn of a new season, your loyalty helps to make this Forum a unique event, combining professional exchanges and conviviality. I would particularly like to welcome the large number of our African friends who are here today, giving this evening a very special resonance.
As is tradition, it is up to the AFCOT President to give an overview of the cotton market over the past year and outline some prospects for the future. This is a demanding and perilous exercise, as we know how cotton has surprised us over the years…
The year 2024 closed at 68.40 USc/lb, down 14% over twelve months, marking a third consecutive year of decline. This trend can be explained mainly by global oversupply, declining demand in Asia, the ever-increasing competitiveness of synthetic fibres, persistent geopolitical uncertainties.
Although resilient, global consumption has not been sufficient to absorb the surplus. It was even disrupted by sudden changes in US customs tariffs, decided after Donald Trump’s election, which disrupted international textile supply chains.
At the beginning of 2025, the market hit its lowest point since August 2020, affected by the introduction of new customs duties by China (+15%) on US cotton, its main supplier.
The rise of Brazil – with high-quality, competitive production exported on a large scale at advantageous logistics costs – is putting additional pressure on prices.
The global macroeconomic and geopolitical context has also encouraged speculation on the decline of agricultural commodities, in a climate paradoxically marked by very low volatility: for example, the December 2025 ICE maturity between the highest and lowest points fluctuated by only 650 points over 12 months, which is unprecedented in 50 years.
So what can we expect for 2026?
After several years of decline, demand for cotton should gradually become more competitive, with many producers already operating at a loss given current prices, which should lead to a reduction in global acreage.
For example, production costs are around 85 US cents/lb for American cotton and 90 US cents/lb for Greek, Spanish or African cotton.
The latest ICAC/USDA forecasts also predict a slight decline in global production in 2025/26, particularly in the United States and Pakistan, aided in this by climatic uncertainties.
However, geopolitical tensions, the weakening of the dollar and pressure on agricultural commodities argue more for price stabilisation than for a significant rise in the medium term.
In short, humility is called for. But let us remember that historically, cotton below 70 USc/lb remains a cheap fibre and never stays there for long. We may soon see a reversal, particularly if funds begin to reverse their positions, as we are already seeing with soybeans, for example.
Beyond the figures and uncertainties, allow me to add a note of optimism: the strength of our industry lies in the energy and commitment of all those who bring it to life. From seed to fabric, cotton remains a unique, natural, renewable fibre at the heart of the sustainability issues that now guide the entire textile industry. It is together, through dialogue, cooperation and innovation, that we will be able to meet the challenges that lie ahead.
More than ever, AFCOT and its members stand alongside African producers to help them safeguard their market share.
Finally, I would like to commend the daily commitment of all AFCOT members, as well as the work of our Secretary General, Emmanuelle Duclos, whose contribution has been instrumental in the success of this Forum.
True to my optimistic nature, I look forward to seeing you in Lille for the 2026 Forum on Monday 5 and Tuesday 6 October.
Thank you for your attention. I wish you all an excellent dinner.
Cotton meeting in Deauville on September 29 and 30, 2025
Only the spoken word is authentic
Speach of Mr Kassoum KONE
Ladies and gentlemen,
Dear members and partners of the French Cotton Association,
It is an honour and a real pleasure for me to speak this evening, accompanied by our Executive Secretary, at this friendly and convivial gathering, which perfectly illustrates the bonds of cooperation and friendship that unite our two associations.
First of all, on behalf of the African Cotton Association, I would like to express our deep gratitude for your invitation and for the warm welcome you have given us. This moment of sharing is a testament to the vitality of our partnership and the mutual trust that drives us.
Our Association was founded by our illustrious predecessors in a spirit of solidarity and collaboration between stakeholders in the African cotton industry and remains, to this day, driven by the same desire to build a stronger future together.
The African Cotton Association (ACA), which I have the honour of chairing, has as its main mission to create a framework for consultation between stakeholders in the African cotton sector in order to defend the interests of our industries, promote the quality and sustainability of our cotton, and actively contribute to the economic and social development of our producing countries.
Our vision is based on the following key objectives:
Achieving these objectives requires the full involvement of all our members, as our industry has faced greater challenges than ever before in recent years.
Firstly, competition between cotton fibre and synthetic fibres, which is already unfavourable to cotton, is taking a worrying turn with discussions around European strategies for sustainable textiles as part of the ‘GREEN DEAL’. It is true that the rumour that circulated at the end of 2024 has been denied, but we small cotton producers will have to demonstrate our ability to meet traceability and sustainability criteria.
Furthermore, the exponential increase in Brazilian fibre is challenging our industries. With rapidly growing volumes and some of the highest yields in the world, Brazil is establishing itself as a key supplier. Its cotton has several advantages: large quantities, available more quickly thanks to shorter transit times, competitive prices offering better margins for spinners, and recognised quality, particularly with the Pima variety. This growing competitiveness is putting considerable pressure on our African industries and forcing us to strengthen our own assets in order to maintain our place in the global market.
Finally, climate and pest problems pose a growing threat to our industries. We are seeing increasingly long and irregular droughts, sometimes followed by flooding at the end of the cycle, which compromise not only yields but also fibre quality. Added to this is the resurgence of pests such as whiteflies, armyworms and other emerging pests, which weaken our crops and increase production costs. These challenges require a collective response: intensifying research, strengthening technical cooperation between cotton companies and promoting sustainable solutions such as integrated pest management and the dissemination of good farming practices.
The current global context, marked by the war between Ukraine and Russia and persistent economic tensions, is negatively affecting our production costs and, above all, our supply chain.
As proof, with one month to go before the new harvest, we estimate unsold fibre stocks at over 220 000 tonnes, which is unusual and worrying.
Ladies and gentlemen, in order to carry out our mission, we have planned our activities for this year around ambitious and realistic goals:
In this context, we are convinced that collaboration with our international partners, foremost among which is AFCOT, is essential for success. Your expertise, experience and commitment help to strengthen the position of African cotton in the global value chain.
Dear partners,
Our ambition is clear: to make African cotton not only a product of recognised quality, but also a lever for sustainable development for an entire continent.
To achieve this, I am aware that speeches and dinners will not suffice; we must truly agree to combine our efforts, exchange our expertise, and build together initiatives that promote progress and equity.
On behalf of the ACA, I would therefore like to reaffirm our desire to strengthen cooperation with AFCOT in a spirit of constructive dialogue, trust and win-win partnership.
Finally, allow me to reiterate my sincere thanks for your hospitality and your commitment to our cause.
Together, we have the opportunity to write a new chapter in international cotton cooperation, serving producers, businesses and future generations.
Thank you for your kind attention.
AFCOT 2024 Forum in Le Havre
ACA – AFCOT Seminars
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
To view the speakers’ presentations, click below.
Discover photos from the 2025 edition:
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