Uganda: Cotton Lint Market 2025

Cotton Lint Market Size in Uganda

The Ugandan cotton lint market totaled $X in 2022, stabilizing at the previous year. Overall, consumption recorded a resilient increase. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Cotton Lint Production in Uganda

In value terms, cotton lint production rose slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production posted strong growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the production volume increased by 66% against the previous year. Cotton lint production peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In 2022, the average cotton lint yield in Uganda rose significantly to X tons per ha, with an increase of 15% compared with 2021. Over the period under review, the yield indicated strong growth from 2012 to 2022: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +5.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, cotton lint yield decreased by -11.9% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when the yield increased by 38%. Over the period under review, the average cotton lint yield reached the peak level at X tons per ha in 2020; however, from 2021 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 Uganda contracted slightly to X ha, which is down by -2.5% against 2021 figures. Overall, the total harvested area indicated a noticeable expansion from 2012 to 2022: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, cotton lint harvested area decreased by +0.5% against 2017 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 30%. The cotton lint harvested area peaked at X ha in 2021, and then fell slightly in the following year.

Cotton Lint Exports

Exports from Uganda

In 2022, approx. X tons of cotton lint were exported from Uganda; jumping by 116% on the previous year. In general, exports continue to indicate prominent growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 609% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, cotton lint exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports recorded a buoyant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 617% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Malaysia (X tons), Pakistan (X tons) and Tanzania (X tons) were the main destinations of cotton lint exports from Uganda, with a combined 48% share of total exports. Portugal, Kenya, Vietnam, China, Taiwan (Chinese), Bangladesh, Mozambique, Thailand, Singapore and Bahrain lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 34%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Kenya (with a CAGR of +77.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for cotton lint exported from Uganda were Malaysia ($X), Pakistan ($X) and Portugal ($X), together comprising 42% of total exports. Tanzania, China, Kenya, Taiwan (Chinese), Vietnam, Mozambique, Thailand, Bangladesh, Singapore and Bahrain lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 33%.

Among the main countries of destination, Kenya, with a CAGR of +87.4%, 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 average cotton lint export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, which is down by -11.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the average export price increased by 16% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton, and then dropped in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Bangladesh ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to China (+11.3%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Cotton Lint Imports

Imports into Uganda

In 2022, overseas purchases of cotton lint decreased by -16.1% to X tons for the first time since 2011, thus ending a ten-year rising trend. Overall, imports, however, posted a significant expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 783% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2021, and then reduced remarkably in the following year.

In value terms, cotton lint imports contracted to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, continue to indicate a significant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 1,013%. Imports peaked at $X in 2021, and then shrank in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Tanzania (X tons) was the main cotton lint supplier to Uganda, with a 92% share of total imports. Moreover, cotton lint imports from Tanzania exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Kenya (X tons), more than tenfold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from Tanzania totaled +44.7%.

In value terms, Tanzania ($X) constituted the largest supplier of cotton lint to Uganda, comprising 95% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Kenya ($X), with a 3.4% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from Tanzania totaled +45.2%.

Import Prices by Country

The average cotton lint import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, increasing by 3% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when the average import price increased by 26%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2022, the average import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

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 Tanzania ($X per ton), while the price for Kenya stood at $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Kenya (+0.6%).

Source: IndexBox Platform