ASEAN: Cotton Lint Market 2025

Cotton Lint Market Size in ASEAN

In 2022, the ASEAN cotton lint market increased by 3.2% to $X, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Cotton Lint Production in ASEAN

In value terms, cotton lint production declined to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, showed a perceptible slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the production volume increased by 58%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2017 to 2022, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Myanmar (X tons) remains the largest cotton lint producing country in ASEAN, comprising approx. 95% of total volume. It was followed by Lao People's Democratic Republic (X tons), with a 2.1% share of total production.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in Myanmar totaled -6.4%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Lao People's Democratic Republic (-1.9% per year) and Singapore (+0.8% per year).

In 2022, the average yield of cotton lint in ASEAN expanded notably to X tons per ha, picking up by 14% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the yield, however, saw a perceptible slump. Over the period under review, the cotton lint yield reached the peak level at X tons per ha in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the yield remained at a lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, the cotton lint harvested area in ASEAN was estimated at X ha, with an increase of 4.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area, however, continues to indicate a pronounced downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 5.6%. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Cotton Lint Exports

Exports in ASEAN

After three years of decline, shipments abroad of cotton lint increased by 37% to X tons in 2022. Overall, exports, however, recorded a deep setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 362% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, cotton lint exports soared to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a abrupt decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when exports increased by 325%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Myanmar represented the key exporter of cotton lint in ASEAN, with the volume of exports finishing at X tons, which was approx. 65% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Indonesia (X tons), Vietnam (X tons), Malaysia (X tons) and the Philippines (X tons), together committing a 33% share of total exports.

Myanmar experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of exports of cotton lint. At the same time, the Philippines (+49.6%), Vietnam (+20.5%) and Indonesia (+18.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, the Philippines emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in ASEAN, with a CAGR of +49.6% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Malaysia (-30.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Myanmar (+65 p.p.), Indonesia (+14 p.p.), Vietnam (+6.5 p.p.) and the Philippines (+4.9 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Malaysia saw its share reduced by -91% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, Myanmar ($X) remains the largest cotton lint supplier in ASEAN, comprising 64% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Indonesia ($X), with a 19% share of total exports. It was followed by Vietnam, with a 6.6% share.

In Myanmar, cotton lint exports expanded at an average annual rate of +1.0% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Indonesia (+18.6% per year) and Vietnam (+23.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in ASEAN stood at $X per ton in 2022, waning by -1.8% against the previous year. In general, the export price continues to indicate a slight downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 an increase of 29%. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Vietnam (+2.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Cotton Lint Imports

Imports in ASEAN

In 2022, the amount of cotton lint imported in ASEAN reduced modestly to X tons, stabilizing at 2021. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.0% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 15%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, cotton lint imports rose notably to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated moderate growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +46.7% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 37%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Vietnam (X tons) was the key importer of cotton lint, mixing up 62% of total imports. Indonesia (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 26% share, followed by Thailand (7.3%) and Malaysia (4.9%).

Vietnam was also the fastest-growing in terms of the cotton lint imports, with a CAGR of +13.5% from 2012 to 2022. Indonesia experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. Thailand (-5.6%) and Malaysia (-7.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Vietnam increased by +36 percentage points.

In value terms, the largest cotton lint importing markets in ASEAN were Vietnam ($X), Indonesia ($X) and Thailand ($X), together comprising 95% of total imports.

Vietnam, with a CAGR of +11.6%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the imports figures.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in ASEAN amounted to $X per ton, rising by 7.5% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 an increase of 24%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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 Thailand ($X per ton), while Vietnam ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Thailand (+2.5%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform