MENA: Cotton Lint Market 2025

Cotton Lint Market Size in MENA

In 2022, the MENA's cotton lint market was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year declining trend. In general, consumption, however, continues to indicate a noticeable slump. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Cotton Lint Production in MENA

In value terms, cotton lint production dropped to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, continues to indicate a deep setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 36% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Turkey (X tons) remains the largest cotton lint producing country in MENA, accounting for 81% of total volume. Moreover, cotton lint production in Turkey exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Egypt (X tons), more than tenfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Iran (X tons), with a 5% share.

In Turkey, cotton lint production contracted by an average annual rate of -3.0% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Egypt (-6.6% per year) and Iran (-6.3% per year).

In 2022, the average cotton lint yield in MENA rose sharply to X tons per ha, increasing by 12% on the year before. Over the period under review, the yield, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 12% against the previous year. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the 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.

In 2022, the harvested area of cotton lint in MENA reduced to X ha, which is down by -5.9% compared with the year before. Over the period under review, the harvested area continues to indicate a perceptible contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the harvested area increased by 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to cotton lint production reached the peak figure at X ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Cotton Lint Exports

Exports in MENA

In 2022, approx. X tons of cotton lint were exported in MENA; shrinking by -7.9% compared with the year before. Total exports indicated a notable increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +22.8% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 43%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2021, and then dropped in the following year.

In value terms, cotton lint exports expanded sharply to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate tangible growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 72% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Turkey (X tons) represented the largest exporter of cotton lint, constituting 53% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Egypt (X tons), Syrian Arab Republic (X tons) and Israel (X tons), together generating a 46% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exporting countries, was attained by Syrian Arab Republic (with a CAGR of +42.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest cotton lint supplying countries in MENA were Turkey ($X), Egypt ($X) and Israel ($X), with a combined 95% share of total exports. Syrian Arab Republic lagged somewhat behind, comprising a further 4.3%.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Syrian Arab Republic, with a CAGR of +38.0%, recorded 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

In 2022, the export price in MENA amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 21% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 29% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs 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 Turkey ($X per ton), while Syrian Arab Republic ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Israel (+3.2%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Cotton Lint Imports

Imports in MENA

After three years of growth, overseas purchases of cotton lint decreased by -3.6% to X tons in 2022. Total imports indicated a remarkable increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +34.0% against 2018 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 44% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2021, and then shrank modestly in the following year.

In value terms, cotton lint imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, saw a strong expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 44%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

Turkey dominates imports structure, amounting to X tons, which was approx. 87% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Egypt (X tons), constituting a 7.9% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to cotton lint imports into Turkey stood at +6.5%. At the same time, Egypt (+23.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Egypt emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in MENA, with a CAGR of +23.2% from 2012-2022. While the share of Egypt (+6 p.p.) increased significantly, the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Turkey ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported cotton lint in MENA, comprising 88% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Egypt ($X), with a 7.8% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Turkey amounted to +9.7%.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in MENA amounted to $X per ton, jumping by 36% against the previous year. Import price indicated a moderate increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% 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 +75.0% against 2020 indices. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Turkey ($X per ton), while Egypt totaled $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Turkey (+3.0%).

Source: IndexBox Platform