Africa: Cotton Lint Market 2024

Cotton Lint Market Size in Africa

In 2022, the African cotton lint market was finally on the rise to reach $X after two years of decline. In general, consumption saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Cotton Lint Production in Africa

In value terms, cotton lint production contracted to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the production volume increased by 29%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Benin (X tons), Burkina Faso (X tons) and Cote d'Ivoire (X tons), with a combined 40% share of total production.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the main producing countries, was attained by Benin (with a CAGR of +10.5%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The average cotton lint yield rose markedly to X tons per ha in 2022, increasing by 9.7% on 2021 figures. In general, the yield, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the cotton lint yield reached the maximum level at X tons per ha in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the yield failed to regain momentum. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The cotton lint harvested area totaled X ha in 2022, almost unchanged from the year before. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 7.5%. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Cotton Lint Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2022, the amount of cotton lint exported in Africa fell to X tons, reducing by -8.2% compared with 2021 figures. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 33%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, cotton lint exports reduced modestly to $X in 2022. Total exports indicated mild growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +36.4% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 44%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Benin (X tons), Burkina Faso (X tons) and Cote d'Ivoire (X tons) represented roughly 67% of total exports in 2022. Egypt (X tons) ranks next in terms of the total exports with a 7.7% share, followed by Sudan (6.1%). The following exporters - Mali (X tons) and Cameroon (X tons) - together made up 7% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Sudan (with a CAGR of +32.6%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Benin ($X), Burkina Faso ($X) and Cote d'Ivoire ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 65% share of total exports. Egypt, Sudan, Mali and Cameroon lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 23%.

Among the main exporting countries, Sudan, with a CAGR of +28.5%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2022, rising by 3.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 15% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Egypt ($X per ton), while Sudan ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mali (+5.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Cotton Lint Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2022, the amount of cotton lint imported in Africa reduced slightly to X tons, waning by -2.1% against 2021. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 40%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, cotton lint imports soared to $X in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 34% against the previous year. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Egypt was the main importing country with an import of about X tons, which accounted for 54% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Mauritius (X tons), Algeria (X tons) and Lesotho (X tons), together creating a 27% share of total imports. Tunisia (X tons), Morocco (X tons) and South Africa (X tons) took a little share of total imports.

Egypt was also the fastest-growing in terms of the cotton lint imports, with a CAGR of +23.2% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Algeria (+19.5%), Lesotho (+4.1%) and Mauritius (+2.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Tunisia (-3.3%), Morocco (-13.7%) and South Africa (-18.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Egypt (+46 p.p.) and Algeria (+6.2 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Tunisia (-2.9 p.p.), Morocco (-17 p.p.) and South Africa (-22.3 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Egypt ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported cotton lint in Africa, comprising 60% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Mauritius ($X), with a 15% share of total imports. It was followed by Algeria, with a 5.5% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Egypt stood at +20.7%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Mauritius (+4.4% per year) and Algeria (+16.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, surging by 25% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.5%. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Morocco ($X per ton), while Lesotho ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Africa (+4.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :