Cotton seeds market in Americas

Earlier Report Observations

The cotton seed market in the Americas expanded from 9 207 thousand tons in 2018 to 10 640 thousand tons in 2019. This growth coincided with a global increase in transgenic cotton cultivation area, driven by rising demand for cotton fiber and seeds, which encouraged production. Major seed companies focused on innovation, and sustainability trends led to the development of new climate-resilient seed varieties.

Market volume dropped to 9 400 thousand tons in 2020 due to supply chain disruptions and altered demand patterns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In the following years, production and market size gradually declined, influenced by ongoing global supply chain issues and commodity price fluctuations. During this period, strategic acquisitions, such as Crystal Crop Protection's purchase of Bayer's seeds business in India, and the adoption of technologies like genetic male sterility (GMS) for hybrid seeds aimed at improving efficiency and reducing costs.

By 2023, the market volume had decreased to 8 680 thousand tons. The continued decline was partly attributed to broader market disruptions, while the industry saw increased R&D investment in non-GM hybrids and integrated pest-management seed treatments. Regional developments within the Americas, such as Brazil reaching 98% adoption of genetically modified cotton and consolidation of cotton farms in the U.S., began shaping seed demand and application methods.

Production cotton seeds in Americas

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of cotton seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of cotton seeds, 2017-2020

Cotton seed production in the Americas saw a decline after two years of growth. In 2020, output reached 9,372 thousand tonnes, marking an 11.7% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 2.5%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 0.8%. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 10,619 thousand tonnes, with the largest annual increase of 15.7% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Americas in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Cotton seed production in the Americas declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the value of production stood at 2,451 million US dollars, down 5.3% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 3.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 2,777 million US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 9.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 6.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Americas in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports cotton seeds from Americas

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited significant volatility during these years. Exports from the Americas reached 36,783 tonnes in 2020, reflecting a 35.5% decrease from the prior year. The lowest point was in 2017, while the peak was in 2019 at 57,069 tonnes, resulting in a 1.8-fold variation between these extremes. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, with a jump of 74.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Americas in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Japan, South Korea, and Spain were the top destinations for cotton seed exports from the Americas in volume terms. Japan accounted for 40.2% of exports, South Korea for 28.7%, and Spain for 2.8%. Together, these three countries made up 71.8% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Americas in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of improvement, cotton seed exports from the Americas declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 9,619 thousand US dollars, down 30.8% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 7.4%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 2.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 13,902 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 40.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Americas in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Japan, South Korea, and Spain consistently led as the top destinations for cotton seed exports from the Americas in value terms. Japan held a 41.7% share, South Korea 30.4%, and Spain 2.6%. Combined, these countries accounted for 74.8% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Americas in value, 2017-2020

Imports cotton seeds to Americas

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, the Americas imported 65,013 tonnes of cotton seeds, a decrease of 16.9% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 32.7%, with an average annual decline of 12.4%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 63,346 tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 34.5%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 23.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Americas in kind, 2017-2020, t

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Americas in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the Americas imported cotton seeds worth 40,007 thousand US dollars, representing a strong increase of 12.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 9.2%, with an average annual rate of 3.0%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 35,421 thousand US dollars, which experienced the largest decline of 30.6%. The peak was in 2018 at 51,075 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase of 39.4% also that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Americas in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical structure of cotton seed imports into the Americas in value terms was dominated by Israel, which accounted for 0.9% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Americas in value, 2017-2020