U.S.: Cotton Lint Market 2024

Cotton Lint Market Size in the U.S.

The U.S. cotton lint market dropped to $X in 2022, waning by -9% against the previous year. In general, consumption, however, showed a pronounced slump. Cotton lint consumption peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Cotton Lint Production in the U.S.

In value terms, cotton lint production dropped to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, production, however, continues to indicate a noticeable setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the production volume increased by 34%. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

The average yield of cotton lint in the United States rose sharply to X tons per ha in 2022, growing by 15% compared with the previous year. In general, the yield, however, continues to indicate a mild downturn. The cotton lint yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2012; however, from 2013 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.

The cotton lint harvested area in the United States contracted to X ha in 2022, with a decrease of -8.5% compared with 2021 figures. Overall, the harvested area continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the harvested area increased by 24% 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 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Cotton Lint Exports

Exports from the U.S.

In 2022, the amount of cotton lint exported from the United States soared to X tons, rising by 15% compared with the previous year. Over the period under review, total exports indicated a pronounced increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports decreased by -10.7% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 32%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, cotton lint exports surged to $X in 2022. Overall, total exports indicated a tangible increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

China (X tons) was the main destination for cotton lint exports from the United States, accounting for a 34% share of total exports. Moreover, cotton lint exports to China exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Pakistan (X tons), threefold. Vietnam (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to China totaled -2.5%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Pakistan (+22.5% per year) and Vietnam (+12.4% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) remains the key foreign market for cotton lint exports from the United States, comprising 32% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Vietnam ($X), with a 12% share of total exports. It was followed by Turkey, with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to China amounted to -1.7%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Vietnam (+15.8% per year) and Turkey (+5.5% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average cotton lint export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, picking up by 37% against the previous year. Overall, export price indicated a mild increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, cotton lint export price increased by +68.2% against 2020 indices. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Average prices varied somewhat for the major overseas markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the highest price was recorded for prices to India ($X per ton) and Peru ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Taiwan (Chinese) ($X per ton) and Pakistan ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to India (+3.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Cotton Lint Imports

Imports into the U.S.

Cotton lint imports into the United States declined rapidly to X tons in 2022, with a decrease of -28.2% compared with 2021. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a abrupt setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 153% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, cotton lint imports dropped sharply to $X in 2022. Overall, imports recorded a abrupt decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 186% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Egypt (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of cotton lint to the United States, accounting for a 65% share of total imports. Moreover, cotton lint imports from Egypt exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, France (X tons), fourfold. Turkey (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 14% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Egypt stood at -10.8%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: France (+17.0% per year) and Turkey (-17.5% per year).

In value terms, Egypt ($X) constituted the largest supplier of cotton lint to the United States, comprising 68% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Tajikistan ($X), with a 15% share of total imports. It was followed by Turkey, with an 8.6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from Egypt amounted to -11.1%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Tajikistan (+40.5% per year) and Turkey (-21.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average cotton lint import price amounted to $X per ton, waning by -7.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the average import price increased by 53%. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Tajikistan ($X per ton), while the price for France ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Brazil (+57.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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