Zimbabwe's largest cotton producing company, Cottco, has lost 1.2-million kilograms of cotton lint in a fire at a ginning site in Chipinge.Zimbabwe's largest cotton producing company, Cotton Company of Zimbabwe , has lost 1.2-million kilograms of cotton lint worth an estimated US$2.5m in a fire at a ginning site in Chipinge, in the southeast of the country.
Cottco MD Pious Manamike said in a statement the firefighting operation was hampered by strong winds in the area at that time. “The fire was detected by a truck driver near the ginnery who immediately alerted the guards and management. The cause of the fire has not yet been established and investigations are under way,” Manamike said.
SA is the main destination for its cotton exports. However, cotton production has declined in major growing areas in the county over the past decades.