Market research

Cotton seeds market in MERCOSUR

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"MERCOSUR" region includes following countries:

Brazil

Argentina

Uruguay

Paraguay

Earlier Report Observations

The cotton seeds market in MERCOSUR entered a phase of robust expansion from 2018, with volume rising from 3.4 million tons to 4.9 million tons by 2020. This growth was propelled by substantial investments in seed treatment technology and innovation in Brazil, which enhanced productivity and sustainability. The increasing adoption of treated seeds for pest and disease control reduced subsequent chemical inputs, while partnerships with certification schemes like Algodão Brasileiro Responsável (ABR) improved traceability and market confidence.

Market volume contracted to 3.9 million tons in 2021, mainly due to adverse climate impacts during the 2021/22 harvest that curtailed product availability. This decline occurred despite the introduction of new industrial seed treatment technologies and advanced coating materials that year, which aimed to boost operational efficiency and seed protection.

A recovery ensued from 2022, with volume reaching 4.9 million tons in 2023. This rebound was supported by market consolidation through mergers and acquisitions, alongside the positive influence of the ABR program promoting responsible practices and full production traceability. By 2024, Brazil solidified its status as the world's largest cotton exporter, driven by intensive technology use and a focus on sustainable post-harvest solutions.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in MERCOSUR
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in MERCOSUR in kind, 2018-2023, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Brazil in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Brazil by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Brazil in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Brazil by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Brazil, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Brazil by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Brazil in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Brazil by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Brazil in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Brazil by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Brazil, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Brazil by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Brazil in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Brazil by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Brazil in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Brazil by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Brazil, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Brazil by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Brazil in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Brazil by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Brazil in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Brazil by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Brazil, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Brazil by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production cotton seeds in MERCOSUR

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of cotton seeds, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of cotton seeds, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

MERCOSUR's cotton seeds production volume has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 4 924 K t of cotton seeds, reflecting a measured year-over-year rise of 6.4%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 79.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 21.6%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	24.0%	36.2%	6.4%	21.6%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of gains, MERCOSUR's cotton seeds production volume declined. In 2020, the output of cotton seeds was valued at 1 088 M $ US in MERCOSUR, showing a slight fall of 0.6% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 67%, equating to an annualized rate of 18.6%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 094 M $ US, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 30.2% rise.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	30.2%	29.1%	(0.6%)	18.6%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports cotton seeds from MERCOSUR

Exports in kind, t

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. From 2017 to 2019, exports saw a peak-to-trough amplitude of 1.8 times. In 2020, MERCOSUR exported 34 550 t of cotton seeds, indicating a decline of 40.7% versus the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 58 273 t, with the largest increase also in 2019 at 74.9%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	2.9%	74.9%	(40.7%)	2.2%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Japan, South Korea, and Chile consistently held leading positions in the country structure of exports in kind. Japan accounted for 43.9% of exports, South Korea for 31.3%, and Chile for 8.6%, jointly making up 83.9% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

After a two-year advance, cotton seeds exports in MERCOSUR declined. In 2020, exports stood at 7 631 K $ US, equivalent to a steep decline of 44.6% versus the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 13 778 K $ US, with the largest increase also in 2019 at 65.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	8.0%	65.7%	(44.6%)	(0.3%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Japan and South Korea concentrated the majority of exports in value terms of cotton seeds from MERCOSUR, while other markets formed a less significant perimeter.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports cotton seeds to MERCOSUR

Imports in kind, t

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 3.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, MERCOSUR's volume of cotton seeds imports reached 1 491 t, which is 41.9% lower year-over-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 2 591 t, with the largest increase also in 2018 at 210.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	210.7%	(1.0%)	(41.9%)	21.4%

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports bottomed in 2017 and peaked in 2018, differing by a factor of 4. In 2020, cotton seeds imports in MERCOSUR amounted to 735 K $ US, marking a decline of 29.3% versus the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 576 K $ US, with the largest decline in 2019 at 34.0% and the largest increase in 2018 at 301.9%.

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