India: Cotton Lint Market 2025

Cotton Lint Market Size in India

In 2022, the Indian cotton lint market was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year declining trend. In general, consumption, however, continues to indicate a slight contraction. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Cotton Lint Production in India

In value terms, cotton lint production dropped to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, recorded a perceptible reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 15%. Cotton lint production peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

In 2022, the average cotton lint yield in India soared to X tons per ha, with an increase of 19% against 2021 figures. Over the period under review, the yield, however, recorded a perceptible decrease. The cotton lint yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2013; however, from 2014 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 in India stood at X ha in 2022, leveling off at the previous year. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the harvested area increased by 15%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to cotton lint production attained the peak figure in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Cotton Lint Exports

Exports from India

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas shipments of cotton lint, when their volume decreased by -66.9% to X tons. In general, exports continue to indicate a abrupt setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 57% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, cotton lint exports declined notably to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports showed a deep slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 85% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Bangladesh (X tons) was the main destination for cotton lint exports from India, accounting for a 76% share of total exports. Moreover, cotton lint exports to Bangladesh exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Vietnam (X tons), sevenfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Indonesia (X tons), with a 4.7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Bangladesh totaled +1.3%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Vietnam (-1.8% per year) and Indonesia (-1.0% per year).

In value terms, Bangladesh ($X) remains the key foreign market for cotton lint exports from India, comprising 78% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Vietnam ($X), with an 8.4% share of total exports. It was followed by Indonesia, with a 4.2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Bangladesh stood at +5.7%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Vietnam (+0.1% per year) and Indonesia (+1.7% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average cotton lint export price amounted to $X per ton, jumping by 35% against the previous year. In general, export price indicated a notable increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, cotton lint export price increased by +87.6% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 39%. The export price peaked in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Average prices varied somewhat for the major external markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the countries with the highest prices were China ($X per ton) and Oman ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Vietnam ($X per ton) and Indonesia ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to China (+5.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Cotton Lint Imports

Imports into India

In 2022, the amount of cotton lint imported into India soared to X tons, jumping by 114% compared with the previous year's figure. In general, imports showed a buoyant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 154% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cotton lint imports surged to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports recorded a strong expansion. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

The United States (X tons), Australia (X tons) and Brazil (X tons) were the main suppliers of cotton lint imports to India, with a combined 63% share of total imports. Singapore, Switzerland, Egypt, Cote d'Ivoire, Tanzania, Cameroon and Mali lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 28%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Switzerland (with a CAGR of +224.4%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest cotton lint suppliers to India were the United States ($X), Australia ($X) and Singapore ($X), together comprising 65% of total imports. Egypt, Switzerland, Brazil, Cote d'Ivoire, Cameroon, Tanzania and Mali lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 25%.

In terms of the main suppliers, Switzerland, with a CAGR of +226.0%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to 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 average cotton lint import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by 30% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import price indicated a buoyant expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +5.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, cotton lint import price increased by +82.6% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the average import price increased by 36% against the previous year. The import price peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Singapore (+7.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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