Middle East: Cotton Lint Market 2025

Cotton Lint Market Size in the Middle East

In 2022, after three years of decline, there was significant growth in the Middle Eastern cotton lint market, when its value increased by 33% to $X. Over the period under review, consumption, however, saw a noticeable reduction. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Cotton Lint Production in the Middle East

In value terms, cotton lint production contracted modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, showed a abrupt downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 31% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs 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 the Middle East, accounting for 87% of total volume. Moreover, cotton lint production in Turkey exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Iran (X tons), more than tenfold. Syrian Arab Republic (X tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 3.6% share.

In Turkey, cotton lint production shrank by an average annual rate of -3.0% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Iran (-6.3% per year) and Syrian Arab Republic (-18.5% per year).

In 2022, the average cotton lint yield in the Middle East expanded notably to X tons per ha, increasing by 12% on 2021. Over the period under review, the yield recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 15% against the previous year. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the yield stood at a somewhat 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, approx. X ha of cotton lint were harvested in the Middle East; reducing by -5.7% compared with 2021 figures. Over the period under review, the harvested area saw a perceptible setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to cotton lint production reached the maximum at X ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Cotton Lint Exports

Exports in the Middle East

In 2022, shipments abroad of cotton lint increased by 0.9% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. Total exports indicated moderate growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% 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 +48.6% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 53% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, cotton lint exports rose remarkably to $X in 2022. Overall, exports saw a buoyant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 99%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Turkey represented the key exporting country with an export of about X tons, which amounted to 80% of total exports. Syrian Arab Republic (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with an 11% share, followed by Israel (7%).

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to cotton lint exports from Turkey stood at +11.1%. At the same time, Syrian Arab Republic (+42.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Syrian Arab Republic emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the Middle East, with a CAGR of +42.8% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Israel (-4.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Turkey and Syrian Arab Republic increased by +40 and +11 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, Turkey ($X) remains the largest cotton lint supplier in the Middle East, comprising 85% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Israel ($X), with a 7.3% share of total exports.

In Turkey, cotton lint exports expanded at an average annual rate of +14.0% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Israel (-1.2% per year) and Syrian Arab Republic (+38.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in the Middle East amounted to $X per ton, rising by 9.9% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.5%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 35% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

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 the Middle East

In 2022, after three years of growth, there was decline in supplies from abroad of cotton lint, when their volume decreased by -4% to X tons. Total imports indicated strong growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.3% 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 +37.3% against 2018 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 39%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2021, and then reduced in the following year.

In value terms, cotton lint imports soared to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, saw buoyant growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 46% against the previous year. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

The purchases of the one major importers of cotton lint, namely Turkey, represented more than two-thirds of total import.

Turkey was also the fastest-growing in terms of the cotton lint imports, with a CAGR of +6.5% from 2012 to 2022. The shares of the largest importers remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Turkey ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported cotton lint in the Middle East.

In Turkey, cotton lint imports increased at an average annual rate of +9.7% over the period from 2012-2022.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in the Middle East amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 36% against the previous year. Import price indicated tangible growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, cotton lint import price increased by +77.7% against 2020 indices. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

As there is only one major supplying country, the average price level is determined by prices for Turkey.

From 2012 to 2022, the rate of growth in terms of prices for Turkey amounted to +3.0% per year.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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