Farmers and ginners have agreed on a minimum cotton producer price of US$35 cents per kilogramme, far way below than what cotton growers expected.

Most cotton growers expected a minimum price of US$0.70 cents and upwards, an increase from last season's price of US$0.30 cents per kilogramme.

The price was agreed on by the joint president council which comprised of farmers unions presidents and directors and ginners.

Announcing the prices in Harare today, the joint presidents' council spokesman, Mr Garikayi Msika said this season cotton would be sold according to grades.

The grade D cotton seed price which is the minimum is pegged at US$0.35 cents per kilogramme. The parties agreed that no ginner will buy at a price below the grade D price. Mr Msika said Grade C will bought for 36 cents, grade B, 38 cents and Grade A 41 cents.