South-Eastern Asia: Cotton Lint Market 2025

Cotton Lint Market Size in South-Eastern Asia

In 2022, the Southeast Asian cotton lint market increased by 3.2% to $X, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Cotton Lint Production in South-Eastern Asia

In value terms, cotton lint production declined to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, showed a noticeable slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 58% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2017 to 2022, production growth remained at a lower figure.

The country with the largest volume of cotton lint production was Myanmar (X tons), accounting for 95% of total volume. It was followed by Lao People's Democratic Republic (X tons), with a 2.1% share of total production.

In Myanmar, cotton lint production contracted by an average annual rate of -6.4% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Lao People's Democratic Republic (-1.9% per year) and Singapore (+0.8% per year).

In 2022, the average yield of cotton lint in South-Eastern Asia totaled X tons per ha, growing by 14% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the yield, however, showed a pronounced decline. Over the period under review, the cotton lint yield reached the maximum level at X tons per ha in 2016; however, from 2017 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, approx. X ha of cotton lint were harvested in South-Eastern Asia; surging by 4.3% on 2021 figures. Over the period under review, the harvested area, however, saw a noticeable slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the harvested area increased by 5.6%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to cotton lint production attained the maximum at X ha in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Cotton Lint Exports

Exports in South-Eastern Asia

After three years of decline, overseas shipments of cotton lint increased by 37% to X tons in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a deep setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 362%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cotton lint exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a drastic downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when exports increased by 325% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Myanmar represented the key exporting country with an export of about X tons, which resulted at 65% of total exports. Indonesia (X tons) held a 15% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Vietnam (7%), Malaysia (6.2%) and the Philippines (4.9%).

Myanmar experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of exports of cotton lint. At the same time, the Philippines (+49.6%), Vietnam (+20.5%) and Indonesia (+18.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, the Philippines emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in South-Eastern Asia, with a CAGR of +49.6% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Malaysia (-30.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Myanmar (+65 p.p.), Indonesia (+14 p.p.), Vietnam (+6.5 p.p.) and the Philippines (+4.9 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of Malaysia (-91 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Myanmar ($X) remains the largest cotton lint supplier in South-Eastern Asia, comprising 64% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Indonesia ($X), with a 19% share of total exports. It was followed by Vietnam, with a 6.6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Myanmar stood at +1.0%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Indonesia (+18.6% per year) and Vietnam (+23.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in South-Eastern Asia stood at $X per ton in 2022, declining by -1.8% against the previous year. In general, the export price saw a slight decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 an increase of 29% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Vietnam (+2.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Cotton Lint Imports

Imports in South-Eastern Asia

Cotton lint imports dropped slightly to X tons in 2022, almost unchanged from the previous year's figure. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.0% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 15%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, cotton lint imports rose sharply to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated a tangible increase from 2012 to 2022: its value 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, imports increased by +46.7% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 37% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Vietnam represented the largest importer of cotton lint in South-Eastern Asia, with the volume of imports accounting for X tons, which was approx. 62% of total imports in 2022. Indonesia (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Thailand (X tons) and Malaysia (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 38% share of total imports.

Vietnam was also the fastest-growing in terms of the cotton lint imports, with a CAGR of +13.5% from 2012 to 2022. Indonesia experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. Thailand (-5.6%) and Malaysia (-7.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Vietnam (+36 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Malaysia (-11 p.p.), Thailand (-12 p.p.) and Indonesia (-12.7 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, the largest cotton lint importing markets in South-Eastern Asia were Vietnam ($X), Indonesia ($X) and Thailand ($X), with a combined 95% share of total imports.

Vietnam, with a CAGR of +11.6%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the imports figures.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in South-Eastern Asia amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 7.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the import price increased by 24% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Thailand (+2.5%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :