Market research

Cotton seeds market in SADC

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"SADC" region includes following countries:

Angola

Botswana

Comoros

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Eswatini

Lesotho

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Namibia

Seychelles

South Africa

Tanzania

Zambia

Zimbabwe

Earlier Report Observations

The cotton seed market in SADC grew from 454 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 479 thousand tonnes in 2020. This expansion was initially driven by a substantial increase in dryland and irrigated cotton farming areas in South Africa, where favorable prices relative to competing crops renewed producer interest and boosted local production.

Market volume fell sharply to 275.5 thousand tonnes in 2021 before recovering to 335.4 thousand tonnes in 2022. The COVID-19 pandemic slowed sector growth, but improved price levels in 2022 helped support the rebound in cultivation and market activity.

In 2023, the market contracted again to 275.3 thousand tonnes. This decline was influenced by reduced domestic cotton lint consumption following the closure of a spinning mill in Swaziland and by falling cotton yields due to extreme weather events and increased pest pressures.

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 SADC
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in SADC 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 Angola in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Angola 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 Angola in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Angola 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 Angola, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Angola 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 Angola in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Angola 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 Angola in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Angola 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 Angola, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Angola 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 Angola in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Angola 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 Angola in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Angola 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 Angola, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Angola 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 Angola in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Angola 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 Angola in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Angola 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 Angola, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Angola 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 SADC

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

Cotton seeds production in SADC has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, SADC produced 477.2 K t of cotton seeds, which represents a 2.2% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 43.8%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 12.9%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	34.9%	4.3%	2.2%	12.9%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports cotton seeds from SADC

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. The lowest exports were recorded in 2017, while the highest volume was reached in 2019, showing a 4.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, foreign cotton seeds supplies from SADC stood at 1 481 t, marking a 65.4% decrease year-over-year. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 4 278 t, with the largest increase occurring in 2019 at 301.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	5.8%	301.3%	(65.4%)	13.7%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Burundi and the United Kingdom were the main buyers of cotton seeds from SADC, together accounting for 2.2% of total exports in kind.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

After a two-year rise, SADC's cotton seeds export volume declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 1 244 K $ US, down by 56.5% from 2019. Over the period 2017-2020, exports decreased by 15.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -5.6%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 2 859 K $ US, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 50.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	50.5%	28.6%	(56.5%)	(5.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, Burundi was the core market for exports in value terms, accounting for 0.8% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports cotton seeds to SADC

Imports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Import volumes bottomed out in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 3.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, SADC's cotton seeds imports totaled 3 252 t, down by 40.6% compared to the previous year. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2018 at 7 350 t, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 205.9%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	205.9%	(25.5%)	(40.6%)	10.6%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Uganda was the principal market for cotton seeds to SADC, absorbing 12.4% of total imports in kind.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import values fell to their lowest point in 2017 and hit their maximum in 2020, with a 2.9-fold gap between these years. In 2020, cotton seeds volumes in SADC stood at 7 030 K $ US, indicating a 32.5% increase compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 0.4%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 121.4%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	121.4%	(0.4%)	32.5%	43.0%

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017–2020, India (15.8% of imports in value terms), Uganda (8.0% of imports in value terms), and Australia (2.3% of imports in value terms) were the key partners for imports in value terms, together accounting for 26.2% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io