Top 10 Cotton Producing Countries in the World

(Update: 1. July 2020)

Cotton is the most important plant fibre to make textile products. Cotton is cultivated by many countries around the globe, with four main types of cotton growing commonly, which are Gossypium hirsutum, Gossypium barbadense, Gossypium Arboretum and Gossypium herbaceum.

The use of cotton has a long tradition with a history of about 7000 years. Clothes made of cotton are moistureabsorbent, have a good drape and are known for their long durability. Products range from highly absorbent bath towels and bed linens to basic clothes such as t-shirts, underwear or socks. Also a broad range of technical textiles are made from this continuously popular fibre today.


Graph: International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) and Bremen Cotton Exchange 01/2019

The annual world production of cotton changed from 26.7 million tons in 2017/2018 to 25,6 million tons in 2018/2019, and is currently estimated with 25,9 million tons for the season 2019/2020. Consequently Cotton is accounting for approximately 2.5% of the world’s arable land. For the season 2019/2020 the Top 10 cotton producers are India, China, United States, Brazil, Pakistan, Turkey, Usbekistan, Mexico, Australia and Mali. Africa as continent delivers a total of 1.7 Million tons of cotton to its customers.

Source: International Cotton Advisory Committee – 01/2019, update Bremen Cotton Exchange 06/2020