Latin America and the Caribbean: Cotton Fabric Market 2025

Cotton Fabric Market Size in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2021, the Latin American cotton fabric market was finally on the rise to reach $X after eight years of decline. In general, consumption, however, recorded a pronounced descent. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Cotton Fabric Production in Latin America and the Caribbean

In value terms, cotton fabric production stood at $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, saw a abrupt slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 1.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Cotton Fabric Exports

Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean

Cotton fabric exports skyrocketed to X tons in 2021, picking up by 58% on the previous year. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, cotton fabric exports soared to $X in 2021. Total exports indicated a modest increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports decreased by -12.1% against 2015 indices. The level of export peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Brazil (X tons) and the Dominican Republic (X tons) represented the largest exporters of woven fabrics of cotton in Latin America and the Caribbean, together finishing at near 70% of total exports. Mexico (X tons) took an 11% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Ecuador (4.8%). Colombia (X tons), Nicaragua (X tons), Guatemala (X tons) and Peru (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exporting countries, was attained by Nicaragua (with a CAGR of +19.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the Dominican Republic ($X), Brazil ($X) and Mexico ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, together accounting for 84% of total exports.

Among the main exporting countries, Mexico, with a CAGR of +24.2%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Latin America and the Caribbean stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 2.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 an increase of 7.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Mexico ($X per ton), while Ecuador ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mexico (+4.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Cotton Fabric Imports

Imports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2021, supplies from abroad of woven fabrics of cotton was finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Total imports indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.2% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, cotton fabric imports soared to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated perceptible growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Mexico (X tons) and Colombia (X tons) were the largest importers of woven fabrics of cotton in Latin America and the Caribbean, together resulting at near 47% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Haiti (X tons), Nicaragua (X tons) and Guatemala (X tons), together creating a 21% share of total imports. Ecuador (X tons), the Dominican Republic (X tons), Peru (X tons), Bolivia (X tons), Chile (X tons), Argentina (X tons), Venezuela (X tons) and Brazil (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Nicaragua (with a CAGR of +64.3%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest cotton fabric importing markets in Latin America and the Caribbean were Mexico ($X), Colombia ($X) and Haiti ($X), together comprising 59% of total imports. Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, Argentina, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Guatemala, Venezuela, Chile and Bolivia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 34%.

Nicaragua, with a CAGR of +87.7%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per ton, stabilizing at the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price showed a perceptible setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when the import price increased by 4.8%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Haiti ($X per ton), while Bolivia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Nicaragua (+14.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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