EU: Cotton Linters Market 2025

Cotton Linters Market Size in the EU

In 2021, the EU cotton linters market was finally on the rise to reach $X after three years of decline. In general, consumption, however, showed a drastic downturn. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Cotton Linters Production in the EU

In value terms, cotton linters production fell to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 2.6%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2016 to 2021, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Cotton Linters Exports

Exports in the EU

In 2021, shipments abroad of cotton linters increased by 4.3% to X tons, rising for the sixth year in a row after two years of decline. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate strong growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 219% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, cotton linters exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. In general, exports saw a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 128%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Greece dominates exports structure, accounting for X tons, which was approx. 79% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Belgium (X tons), creating a 9.4% share of total exports. The following exporters - the Netherlands (X tons), Italy (X tons) and Spain (X tons) - together made up 9.3% of total exports.

Exports from Greece increased at an average annual rate of +18.0% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Italy (+283.6%), the Netherlands (+152.8%), Belgium (+48.2%) and Spain (+34.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Italy emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the European Union, with a CAGR of +283.6% from 2012-2021. While the share of Belgium (+8.1 p.p.), the Netherlands (+4.1 p.p.) and Italy (+3.7 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of Greece (-5.7 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Greece ($X) remains the largest cotton linters supplier in the European Union, comprising 55% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by the Netherlands ($X), with an 18% share of total exports. It was followed by Belgium, with an 8.6% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in Greece amounted to +6.0%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the Netherlands (+158.6% per year) and Belgium (+22.4% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in the European Union stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 56% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, continues to indicate a abrupt shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 an increase of 233%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2016 to 2021, the export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+2.3%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Cotton Linters Imports

Imports in the EU

In 2021, supplies from abroad of cotton linters increased by 12% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Total imports indicated a noticeable increase from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +25.1% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when imports increased by 81%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, cotton linters imports expanded notably to $X in 2021. In general, imports, however, continue to indicate a deep contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by 102% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Spain prevails in imports structure, amounting to X tons, which was approx. 93% of total imports in 2021. The following importers - Greece (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons) and Germany (X tons) - each reached a 6.2% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to cotton linters imports into Spain stood at +3.7%. At the same time, Greece (+108.1%), the Netherlands (+12.8%) and Germany (+6.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Greece emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the European Union, with a CAGR of +108.1% from 2012-2021. Spain (+6.4 p.p.) and Greece (+2.3 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Spain ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported cotton linters in the European Union, comprising 79% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by the Netherlands ($X), with a 9.2% share of total imports. It was followed by Greece, with a 3.7% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in Spain stood at -4.1%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the Netherlands (+6.8% per year) and Greece (+70.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in the European Union amounted to $X per ton, falling by -2.2% against the previous year. In general, the import price showed a drastic downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 an increase of 22% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (-3.6%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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