Cotton seeds market in Europe

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the European cotton seeds market grew by 8% to 589 thousand tonnes. This expansion was driven by an increase in EU cotton cultivation area to 362 thousand hectares, which boosted domestic production to 688 thousand tonnes. The market remained concentrated in Greece and Spain, the region's leading producers.

After 2019, the market volume entered a sustained decline, falling to 325 thousand tonnes in 2023—a 45% drop from the peak. Production followed a similar downward path. By 2024, the EU cotton cultivation area had decreased to 290 thousand hectares. The European industry was also affected by global factors, including stabilized cotton prices and increased production in regions like Brazil and West Africa, which intensified competition. Furthermore, strict EU regulations limited the local adoption of genetically modified seed varieties that were expanding the global market.

Production cotton seeds in Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of cotton seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of cotton seeds, 2017-2020

Europe's cotton seeds production saw growth for two consecutive years before declining. In 2019, production reached its peak at 688 thousand tons, representing a significant 20.8% increase. However, in 2020, production fell to 585 thousand tons, marking a 15.0% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production rose by 24%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 7.4%.

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

Exports cotton seeds from Europe

Exports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. In 2018, cotton seeds exports from Europe hit their lowest point at 108.3 thousand tons, with a sharp decline of 26.3%. The following year, in 2019, exports surged to their maximum of 219.2 thousand tons, reflecting a substantial 102.3% increase. By 2020, exports totaled 212.0 thousand tons, showing a modest 3.3% year-over-year drop. Overall, exports varied by a factor of two between the low in 2018 and the high in 2019.

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

An analysis of exports in volume terms from 2017 to 2020 reveals a wide distribution across numerous markets. Saudi Arabia accounted for 14.7% of exports, the United Arab Emirates for 3.1%, and South Korea for 2.9%. Together, these three countries made up only 20.7% of total export flows, while the remaining 79.3% went to various other partners.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Europe's cotton seeds exports in value terms have increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 75 395 thousand US dollars, up by 9.6% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 33.7%, averaging an annualized rate of 10.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, cotton seeds from Europe were supplied to a diverse range of markets. Saudi Arabia represented 12.3% of exports in value terms, the United Arab Emirates 2.4%, and South Korea 2.1%. Combined, these three destinations accounted for just 16.8% of total export value, with the remaining 83.2% spread across many smaller markets.

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

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

Imports cotton seeds to Europe

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Europe's cotton seeds imports totaled 98.8 thousand tons, down by 17.6% year-over-year. The lowest point was in 2018 at 83.4 thousand tons, with a significant decline of 36.6%. Imports rebounded in 2019, showing a 43.7% increase. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 24.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -9.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for Europe's cotton seeds imports in volume terms were Togo with 2.2%, Argentina with 0.9%, and Benin with 0.9%. Together, these three countries represented 4.0% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Europe's cotton seeds imports in value terms amounted to 51 455 thousand US dollars, rising by 16.4% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 44 187 thousand US dollars, with a decline of 14.4%, while the maximum was in 2018 at 51 625 thousand US dollars. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 4.8%, averaging an annualized growth rate of 1.6%.

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

During 2017-2020, Europe imported cotton seeds from many countries. Even the largest sources—Togo, Israel, and Argentina—together accounted for only 3.7% of total imports in value terms.

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

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