Market research

Cotton seeds market in Northern Africa

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Northern Africa" region includes following countries:

Algeria

Libya

Morocco

Sudan

Western Sahara

Tunisia

Egypt

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for cotton seeds in Northern Africa fluctuated between 2018 and 2023, starting at 263 thousand tons in 2018. It contracted to 232 thousand tons in 2019 before recovering to 255 thousand tons in 2020. A period of strong expansion followed, with the market reaching 391 thousand tons in 2022, followed by a decline to 310 thousand tons in 2023.

In 2024, the market environment was shaped by weak cotton prices due to abundant supply in West Africa and competition from imported palm oil affecting local crushing. Factors such as the privatization of some oil mills in the region and ongoing supply chain disruptions also influenced production and processing dynamics.

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 Northern Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Northern Africa 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 Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Algeria 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 Algeria in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Algeria 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/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
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 Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Algeria 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 Algeria in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Algeria 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/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
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 Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Algeria 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 Algeria in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Algeria 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/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
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 Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Algeria 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 Algeria in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Algeria 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/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
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 Northern Africa

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

In 2020, Northern Africa produced 245.3 thousand tonnes of cotton seeds, marking a robust 11.8% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 41.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.3%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 255.0 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 14.0%, while the most significant increase was in 2018, with a 47.1% rise.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	47.1%	(14.0%)	11.8%	12.3%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports cotton seeds from Northern Africa

Exports in kind, t

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	n/a	n/a	n/a	-

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia was the dominant export destination for cotton seeds from Northern Africa, consistently representing 100.0% of total export flows in kind.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	n/a	n/a	n/a	-

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Saudi Arabia dominated the export structure in value terms, consistently accounting for 100.0% of total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports cotton seeds to Northern Africa

Imports in kind, t

After two consecutive years of growth, cotton seed imports into Northern Africa declined. In 2020, imports totaled 9 427 tonnes, representing a substantial 23.8% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 105.4%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 27.1%. The peak import volume was recorded in 2019 at 12 368 tonnes. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with a 68.3% rise.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	68.3%	60.2%	(23.8%)	27.1%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the United States and Greece were the primary sources for cotton seed imports into Northern Africa, jointly accounting for 87.5% of total import flows in kind, while the remaining share was distributed among other markets.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited significant volatility during these years. Imports varied by 3.4-fold from their low point in 2017 to their peak in 2019. In 2020, Northern Africa imported cotton seeds worth 3 791 thousand US dollars, representing an abrupt 29.1% decline from the previous year. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 5 350 thousand US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 117.1% rise.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	56.2%	117.1%	(29.1%)	34.0%

Source: SHEV.io

During the 2017-2020 period, the United States (46.4% of import value), Greece (22.4% of import value), and India (19.6% of import value) together accounted for 88.4% of total import value, remaining the main sources for cotton seeds imported into Northern Africa.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io