Cotton seeds market in Bangladesh

Earlier Report Observations

The cotton seeds market in Bangladesh contracted sharply between 2018 and 2023, with total market volume falling from 82 005 t to 40 916 t. This represented a decline of approximately 50% over the six-year period, indicating a major downturn in the sector.

The most significant reduction occurred in 2019, when the market shrank by over 30 000 t year-on-year. After that, decreases continued but at a moderating pace, with the smallest annual reduction recorded in 2023. Imports and exports remained marginal throughout, meaning domestic production was the primary determinant of market volume.

Production cotton seeds in Bangladesh

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of cotton seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of cotton seeds, 2017-2020

Bangladesh's cotton seed production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 49,687 tonnes of cotton seeds, marking a moderate year-on-year decrease of 4.4%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 37.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -14.3%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 82,000 tonnes. The largest annual decline occurred in 2019, when production dropped by 36.6%, while the largest increase was seen in 2018 with growth of 3.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Bangladesh in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports cotton seeds from Bangladesh

Exports in kind, t

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

From 2017 to 2020, Singapore was effectively the sole destination for Bangladesh's cotton seed exports in volume terms, accounting for 100.0% of total shipments.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Singapore remained the dominant and nearly exclusive destination for Bangladesh's cotton seed exports in value terms, representing 100.0% of the total.

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

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

Imports cotton seeds to Bangladesh

Imports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. From 2017 to 2019, imports fluctuated dramatically, with a peak-to-trough amplitude of 47 times. In 2020, Bangladesh's cotton seed imports reached 21.5 tonnes, showing a sharp decline of 89.6% compared to the previous year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 206.4 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 4,380.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Uganda was the dominant supplier of cotton seeds to Bangladesh, accounting for 86.9% of total imports in volume terms, with other countries making up the remainder.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 53.5 thousand US dollars, then peaked in 2019 at 323.1 thousand US dollars, showing a sixfold difference between these years. In 2020, Bangladesh's cotton seed imports amounted to 84.9 thousand US dollars, down by 73.7% from the previous year. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019, with growth of 503.9%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Uganda and China remained the primary suppliers of cotton seeds to Bangladesh, together accounting for 98.7% of total imports in value terms, with other countries forming the remainder.

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

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