Ethiopia: Cotton Lint Market 2025

Cotton Lint Market Size in Ethiopia

The Ethiopian cotton lint market was estimated at $X in 2022, with an increase of 3% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +5.2% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Cotton lint consumption peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Cotton Lint Production in Ethiopia

In value terms, cotton lint production reached $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +5.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the production volume increased by 27% against the previous year. Cotton lint production peaked at $X in 2020; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

The average yield of cotton lint in Ethiopia soared to X tons per ha in 2022, rising by 17% against 2021 figures. In general, the yield saw a remarkable increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the yield increased by 33%. As a result, the yield attained the peak level of X tons per ha. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the average cotton lint 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.

The cotton lint harvested area in Ethiopia shrank slightly to X ha in 2022, flattening at the previous year. In general, the harvested area recorded a pronounced setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 30% against the previous year. The cotton lint harvested area peaked at X ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Cotton Lint Exports

Exports from Ethiopia

In 2022, overseas shipments of cotton lint increased by 0.4% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after three years of decline. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a deep setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 360% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, cotton lint exports totaled $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a deep reduction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 350%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

India (X tons) was the main destination for cotton lint exports from Ethiopia, accounting for a 66% share of total exports. Moreover, cotton lint exports to India exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, China (X tons), fivefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Portugal (X tons), with a 4.3% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to India totaled -8.9%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: China (-5.1% per year) and Portugal (-20.4% per year).

In value terms, India ($X) remains the key foreign market for cotton lint exports from Ethiopia, comprising 61% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by China ($X), with a 21% share of total exports. It was followed by Portugal, with a 4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to India amounted to -11.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: China (-2.0% per year) and Portugal (-22.4% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average cotton lint export price amounted to $X per ton, remaining stable against the previous year. In general, the export price continues to indicate a slight contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 an increase of 9.2% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2022, the average export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Indonesia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to China (+3.3%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Cotton Lint Imports

Imports into Ethiopia

In 2022, imports of cotton lint into Ethiopia surged to X tons, rising by 23% against 2021 figures. In general, imports, however, continue to indicate a slight slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 165% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cotton lint imports surged to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, showed a perceptible contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by 124% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Turkey (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of cotton lint to Ethiopia, accounting for a 49% share of total imports. Moreover, cotton lint imports from Turkey exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Sudan (X tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was taken by India (X tons), with a 23% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Turkey totaled +4.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Sudan (+2.4% per year) and India (-0.9% per year).

In value terms, India ($X), Turkey ($X) and Sudan ($X) constituted the largest cotton lint suppliers to Ethiopia, with a combined 90% share of total imports. These countries were followed by the United States, which accounted for a further 10%.

In terms of the main suppliers, the United States, with a CAGR of +36.4%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

Import Prices by Country

The average cotton lint import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, flattening at the previous year. Overall, the import price showed a noticeable curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the average import price increased by 17%. The import price 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 supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the price for Sudan ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by India (+3.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform