Western Africa: Cotton Linters Market 2025

Cotton Linters Market Size in Western Africa

The West African cotton linters market dropped slightly to $X in 2021, reducing by -3% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2020, and then contracted slightly in the following year.

Cotton Linters Production in Western Africa

In value terms, cotton linters production fell slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the production volume increased by 6.8% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2020, and then reduced in the following year.

Cotton Linters Exports

Exports in Western Africa

In 2021, shipments abroad of cotton linters decreased by -7.2% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a deep setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 33%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, cotton linters exports contracted to $X in 2021. In general, exports continue to indicate a deep setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when exports increased by 54% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Nigeria represented the major exporting country with an export of about X tons, which amounted to 53% of total exports. Ghana (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 30% share, followed by Togo (16%).

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Togo (with a CAGR of +28.6%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced a decline in the exports figures.

In value terms, Nigeria ($X), Ghana ($X) and Togo ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, together comprising 98% of total exports.

Among the main exporting countries, Togo, with a CAGR of +23.5%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced a decline in the exports figures.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Western Africa amounted to $X per ton, falling by -2.2% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when the export price increased by 43% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Ghana (+1.0%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Cotton Linters Imports

Imports in Western Africa

In 2021, supplies from abroad of cotton linters decreased by -88.7% to X tons, falling for the third year in a row after four years of growth. Over the period under review, imports recorded a abrupt decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 1,764%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cotton linters imports dropped rapidly to $X in 2021. Overall, imports continue to indicate a deep contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 2,281%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Gambia (X tons) was the largest importer of cotton linters, mixing up 62% of total imports. Nigeria (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 24% share, followed by Senegal (12%).

Gambia was also the fastest-growing in terms of the cotton linters imports, with a CAGR of +5.1% from 2012 to 2021. Senegal (-1.5%) and Nigeria (-17.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Gambia (+44 p.p.) and Senegal (+5.4 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Nigeria saw its share reduced by -41.7% from 2012 to 2021, respectively.

In value terms, Gambia ($X), Senegal ($X) and Nigeria ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, together comprising 93% of total imports.

Gambia, with a CAGR of +9.3%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of 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 2021, the import price in Western Africa amounted to $X per ton, growing by 39% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, showed a abrupt contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the import price increased by 117%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Senegal (+5.0%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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