Cotton seeds market in Latin America and the Caribbean

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the cotton seed market in Latin America and the Caribbean expanded from 4.0 million tons to 5.4 million tons. This growth was fueled by the widespread adoption of genetically modified seeds and improved agricultural technologies, particularly in Brazil and Argentina, where investments in high-productivity seeds boosted yields. Additionally, countries like Colombia experienced rising domestic cotton demand. In 2020, the introduction of new genetic traits such as XtendFlex and the continued uptake of GM seeds helped maintain market momentum despite supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Market volume contracted to 4.4 million tons in 2021, partly due to the lingering effects of the pandemic on demand and logistics. However, recovery began in 2022, with the market reaching 5.4 million tons by 2023. This rebound was supported by record cotton production in Brazil, where new seed varieties like Bayer’s DP 1949 B3RF delivered higher productivity and disease resistance. Major players such as Bayer, BASF, and Syngenta launched enhanced cotton seed varieties and technologies, improving overall efficiency. At the same time, regulatory shifts, including Mexico’s planned ban on GM seeds by 2024, stimulated demand for non-transgenic hybrids and open-pollinated varieties.

Production cotton seeds in Latin America and the Caribbean

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of cotton seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of cotton seeds, 2017-2020

Latin America and the Caribbean have seen their cotton seeds production volume grow for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 5 348 K t of cotton seeds, marking a modest increase of 2.4% compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production surged by 61.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 17.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of growth, Latin America and the Caribbean's cotton seeds production value experienced a decline. In 2020, the output was valued at 1 259 M $ US, reflecting a slight decrease of 0.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value rose by 38.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.5%. The peak value occurred in 2019 at 1 269 M $ US, while the largest annual increase was in 2018 at 28.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports cotton seeds from Latin America and the Caribbean

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of improvement, Latin America and the Caribbean's cotton seeds export volume decreased. In 2020, the region exported 40.9 K t of cotton seeds, down by 28.4% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 24.9%, translating to an annualized rate of 7.7%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 57.1 K t, with the largest annual increase also in 2019 at 65.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Japan, South Korea, and the United States formed the core of cotton seeds exports in kind from Latin America and the Caribbean. Japan accounted for 40.2% of exports, South Korea for 28.7%, and the United States for 8.4%, collectively representing 77.3% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year rise, Latin America and the Caribbean's cotton seeds export value declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 9 619 K $ US, indicating a sharp drop of 30.6% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 7.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.4%. The maximum value was in 2019 at 13 858 K $ US, and the largest annual increase also occurred in 2019 at 40.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

During 2017-2020, Japan, South Korea, and the United States consistently served as the main destinations for cotton seeds exports in value terms from Latin America and the Caribbean. Japan held a 41.8% share, South Korea 30.5%, and the United States 11.4%, together accounting for 83.7% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020

Imports cotton seeds to Latin America and the Caribbean

Imports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Imports varied significantly, with a 24-fold difference between the high in 2017 and the low in 2018. In 2020, cotton seeds shipments to Latin America and the Caribbean from abroad reached 96.4 K t, up by 5.8% from the previous year. The minimum volume was recorded in 2018 at 4.6 K t, with the largest annual decline in 2018 at 95.9% and the largest increase in 2019 at 1 864.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States remained the key partner for cotton seeds imports in kind to Latin America and the Caribbean, holding a dominant share of 89.4% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Latin America and the Caribbean's cotton seeds import value amounted to 38 050 K $ US, showing a strong increase of 14.8% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 9.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.2%. The minimum value was in 2019 at 33 138 K $ US, while the maximum was in 2018 at 48 803 K $ US. The largest annual decline occurred in 2019 at 32.1%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 40.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017-2020, the United States dominated the country structure of cotton seeds imports in value terms to Latin America and the Caribbean, with a commanding share of 94.2% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020