Cotton seeds market in Guinea

Earlier Report Observations

Cotton seeds production in Guinea remained relatively stable between 2018 and 2020, with output hovering around 22 800 t. During this period, long-term initiatives such as the launch of the AgriFARM project to support family farms and an agreement with Geocoton to revive cotton cultivation laid the groundwork for future growth, but immediate production was constrained by the outdated ginning plant in Kankan, which limited processing capacity.

From 2021 onwards, production entered a phase of steady growth, reaching 23 409 t by 2023. This increase was driven by modernization efforts, including a memorandum with Netafim to introduce precision farming and irrigation techniques, the distribution of 50 motorized cultivators to local producers, and the financial restructuring of the state-owned Société Cotonnière de Kankan through a capital release that cleared salary arrears and old seed stock, improving operational liquidity.

In 2023, further market-stabilizing measures, such as the official launch of a price monitoring system and protocols with the Chamber of Commerce to ensure supply transparency and tax reliefs, supported continued expansion. The cotton sector consolidated its role as a key driver of rural development, backed by sustained government and project support like the ongoing AgriFARM initiative.

Production cotton seeds in Guinea

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of cotton seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of cotton seeds, 2017-2020

Guinea's cotton seeds production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 22 788 tonnes of cotton seeds, showing minimal change compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 0.4% drop. Production peaked in 2018 at 22 905 tonnes, which represented a 0.4% increase from the previous year.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Guinea's cotton seeds output was valued at 1 149 thousand US dollars, marking a 17.9% increase compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 974 thousand US dollars, which represented a 23.7% decline from 2018. Production reached its maximum in 2018 at 1 277 thousand US dollars, a 29.9% increase from 2017. Between 2017 and 2020, overall production grew by 16.9%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 5.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Guinea in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports cotton seeds from Guinea

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Guinea's cotton seeds exports declined. In 2020, export volume totaled 678 tonnes, representing a sharp 63.2% decrease compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 843 tonnes, which marked a 21.0% increase from 2018. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 47.9%, equating to an annualized decline of 19.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Mali consistently accounted for 100.0% of Guinea's cotton seeds exports in volume terms, maintaining a dominant position throughout the period.

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

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

Exports in value, $ US

Guinea's cotton seeds exports declined in value for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 34 161 US dollars, a 56.6% contraction compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 84 955 US dollars, representing a 51.7% increase from 2017. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 39%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 15.2%.

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

During 2017–2020, Mali accounted for 100.0% of Guinea's cotton seeds exports in value terms, effectively concentrating all export flows.

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

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

Imports cotton seeds to Guinea

Imports in kind, t

Guinea's cotton seeds imports showed significant fluctuations during the period. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 0.0 tonnes, representing a 99.9% decline from 2017. In 2020, imports amounted to 0.0 tonnes, showing little change compared to 2019. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 0.0%. Overall, imports varied 857-fold between the peak in 2017 and the trough in 2018.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Burkina Faso dominated Guinea's cotton seeds imports in volume terms, accounting for 99.9% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, $ US

Guinea's cotton seeds imports in value terms exhibited irregular changes, indicating a volatile market. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 355 US dollars, a 96.2% decline from 2017. In 2020, imports totaled 355 US dollars, remaining broadly stable compared to 2019. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 0.0%. Imports changed 27-fold from the peak in 2017 to the trough in 2018.

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

Over 2017–2020, Burkina Faso accounted for 96.4% of Guinea's cotton seeds imports in value terms, concentrating almost all import flows.

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

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