Asia: Cotton Lint Market 2025

Cotton Lint Market Size in Asia

After two years of decline, the Asian cotton lint market increased by 5.2% to $X in 2022. Overall, consumption, however, showed a pronounced slump. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Cotton Lint Production in Asia

In value terms, cotton lint production fell to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, saw a noticeable descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 20% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were China (X tons), India (X tons) and Pakistan (X tons), with a combined 83% share of total production. Uzbekistan, Turkey and Turkmenistan lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 13%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Turkmenistan (with a CAGR of +4.8%), while production for the other leaders experienced a decline in the production figures.

In 2022, the average yield of cotton lint in Asia skyrocketed to X tons per ha, surging by 15% compared with the previous year. Overall, the yield, however, showed a noticeable contraction. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the yield stood at a somewhat 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 Asia stood at X ha, leveling off at the previous year. Overall, the harvested area, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the harvested area increased by 17%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to cotton lint production reached the maximum at X ha in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Cotton Lint Exports

Exports in Asia

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in shipments abroad of cotton lint, when their volume decreased by -49.6% to X tons. Over the period under review, exports recorded a deep reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 26% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cotton lint exports reduced notably to $X in 2022. In general, exports recorded a deep downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 72%. 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

In 2022, India (X tons) represented the largest exporter of cotton lint, comprising 43% of total exports. Turkey (X tons) took a 15% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Tajikistan (10%), Azerbaijan (7.5%) and Afghanistan (6.8%). Kazakhstan (X tons), China (X tons) and Turkmenistan (X tons) took a little share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to cotton lint exports from India stood at -13.9%. At the same time, Azerbaijan (+28.6%), Turkey (+11.1%), Afghanistan (+10.1%), China (+6.7%) and Tajikistan (+2.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Azerbaijan emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Asia, with a CAGR of +28.6% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Kazakhstan (-3.3%) and Turkmenistan (-15.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Turkey (+13 p.p.), Azerbaijan (+7.2 p.p.), Tajikistan (+6.9 p.p.), Afghanistan (+5.8 p.p.), China (+2.7 p.p.) and Kazakhstan (+1.8 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Turkmenistan and India saw its share reduced by -2.1% and -29.6% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, India ($X) remains the largest cotton lint supplier in Asia, comprising 48% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Turkey ($X), with a 16% share of total exports. It was followed by Azerbaijan, with a 6.9% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in India amounted to -10.5%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Turkey (+14.0% per year) and Azerbaijan (+35.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Asia amounted to $X per ton, growing by 20% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.7%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the export price increased by 37% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Azerbaijan (+5.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Cotton Lint Imports

Imports in Asia

In 2022, supplies from abroad of cotton lint decreased by -2.8% to X tons for the first time since 2016, thus ending a five-year rising trend. In general, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by 17%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, cotton lint imports surged to $X in 2022. Overall, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 33%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

China (X tons), Vietnam (X tons), Bangladesh (X tons), Turkey (X tons), Pakistan (X tons), Indonesia (X tons) and India (X tons) represented roughly 93% of total imports in 2022.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by Vietnam (with a CAGR of +13.5%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest cotton lint importing markets in Asia were China ($X), Turkey ($X) and Vietnam ($X), with a combined 55% share of total imports. Bangladesh, Pakistan, Indonesia and India lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 37%.

Among the main importing countries, Pakistan, with a CAGR of +13.1%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Asia stood at $X per ton in 2022, growing by 22% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the import price increased by 23%. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was India ($X per ton), while Bangladesh ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

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

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :