Cotton seeds market in Ethiopia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, cotton seed production in Ethiopia increased from 85 thousand tonnes to 104 thousand tonnes. This significant growth was primarily driven by the approval of Bt cotton seed varieties for commercial cultivation and government plans to import these seeds from India, which encouraged farmers to expand planting. Additionally, the expansion of thriving textile industrial parks created sustained demand for cotton, incentivizing existing and new commercial farms to boost production.

Production volumes stabilized around 102-104 thousand tonnes during 2020 and 2021. A renewed expansion occurred in 2022, with output reaching 107 thousand tonnes. This was supported by the continued cultivation and increased area under GM cotton, authorized by the government, although bureaucratic hurdles and foreign exchange shortages limited broader adoption and kept growth moderate.

In 2023, production saw a minor adjustment to 105 thousand tonnes. During this period, the government published the new Ethiopian Seed Proclamation No. 1288/23, providing a strategic direction for the seed regulatory framework aimed at long-term sector development. The domestic market for cotton seeds followed a similar path, reaching 102.1 thousand tonnes in 2023.

Production cotton seeds in Ethiopia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Ethiopia ranked 25th globally in cotton seed production.

Top producers of cotton seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of cotton seeds, 2017-2020

Ethiopia's cotton seed production rose for two consecutive years before declining. In 2020, output reached 102.0 K t, marking a slight decrease of 1.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 27.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.4%. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 104.0 K t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 22.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year upward trend, Ethiopia's cotton seed production value declined. In 2020, the output was valued at 99.6 M US dollars, down 10.4% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, the production value increased by 28.3%, averaging 8.7% growth per year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 111.1 M US dollars, which also experienced the largest annual rise of 32.6%.

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

Exports cotton seeds from Ethiopia

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed irregular changes, indicating a volatile market. From a low of 1 462 t in 2018 to a high of 9 491 t in 2020, volumes varied by 6.5 times. In 2020, Ethiopia's cotton seed exports reached 9 491 t, a 36.3% increase from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 23.8%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 376.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, China, and Yemen were the primary buyers of Ethiopian cotton seeds by volume. The United States accounted for 38.7% of exports, China for 13.4%, and Yemen for 13.0%, together making up 65.1% of total export volumes.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The export market exhibited volatility during the observed period. From a low of 1 441 K US dollars in 2018 to a peak of 9 267 K US dollars in 2020, values differed by 6.4 times. In 2020, Ethiopia exported cotton seeds worth 9 267 K US dollars, a 24.5% increase from the previous year. The largest decline was in 2018 at 22.6%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 416.4%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the United States, Yemen, and China were the main destinations for Ethiopian cotton seed exports by value. The United States represented 33.1% of export value, Yemen 19.0%, and China 11.7%, collectively accounting for 63.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports cotton seeds to Ethiopia

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes displayed significant volatility. From a low of 0.2 t in 2019 to a high of 12 t in 2018, volumes varied by 59 times. In 2020, Ethiopia imported 0.3 t of cotton seeds, a 47.1% increase from 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 98.3%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 1 478.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey was the primary and nearly exclusive source for cotton seed imports into Ethiopia by volume, accounting for 90.5% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations. From a low in 2017 to a peak in 2018, import values varied by 40 times. In 2020, Ethiopia imported cotton seeds worth 7 K US dollars, a 57.2% rise from 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 21 K US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 78.0%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 3 890.6%.

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

Over 2017-2020, Turkey and India dominated the partner structure for cotton seed imports into Ethiopia by value, with other countries comprising the remaining share.

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

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