Sri Lanka: Cotton Lint Market 2025

Cotton Lint Market Size in Sri Lanka

In 2022, the Sri Lankan cotton lint market was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2017, thus ending a four-year declining trend. In general, consumption, however, faced a abrupt contraction. Cotton lint consumption peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Cotton Lint Production in Sri Lanka

In value terms, cotton lint production surged to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production continues to indicate significant growth. Cotton lint production peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In 2022, the average yield of cotton lint in Sri Lanka amounted to less than X kg per ha, therefore, remained relatively stable against 2021 figures. Over the period under review, the yield continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, the total area harvested in terms of cotton lint production in Sri Lanka totaled less than X ha, approximately equating 2021. In general, the harvested area saw a relatively flat trend pattern.

Cotton Lint Exports

Exports from Sri Lanka

In 2022, after seven years of growth, there was significant decline in shipments abroad of cotton lint, when their volume decreased by -95.9% to X tons. Overall, exports recorded a precipitous descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 12%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, cotton lint exports shrank significantly to $X in 2022. In general, exports faced a precipitous decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 25% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

India (X tons) was the main destination for cotton lint exports from Sri Lanka, accounting for a approx. 100% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to India stood at +8.1%.

In value terms, India ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for cotton lint exports from Sri Lanka.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to India stood at -1.0%.

Export Prices by Country

The average cotton lint export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, declining by -58.9% against the previous year. In general, the export price continues to indicate a deep setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 11%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2022, the average export prices failed to regain momentum.

As there is only one major export destination, the average price level is determined by prices for India.

From 2012 to 2022, the rate of growth in terms of prices for Taiwan (Chinese) amounted to +42.2% per year.

Cotton Lint Imports

Imports into Sri Lanka

In 2022, supplies from abroad of cotton lint decreased by -44.9% to X tons, falling for the seventh consecutive year after two years of growth. Over the period under review, imports showed a sharp decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 81% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, cotton lint imports contracted remarkably to $X in 2022. In general, imports continue to indicate a precipitous descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 76% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Pakistan (X tons) constituted the largest cotton lint supplier to Sri Lanka, with a 74% share of total imports. Moreover, cotton lint imports from Pakistan exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, India (X tons), fivefold. The third position in this ranking was held by China (X tons), with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Pakistan amounted to -2.0%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: India (+5.5% per year) and China (+7.2% per year).

In value terms, Pakistan ($X) constituted the largest supplier of cotton lint to Sri Lanka, comprising 76% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by China ($X), with a 13% share of total imports. It was followed by India, with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Pakistan amounted to -1.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: China (+6.1% per year) and India (+0.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average cotton lint import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, picking up by 21% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.5%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the average import price increased by 26%. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the peak figure in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Indonesia ($X per ton), while the price for India ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+6.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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