Cotton seeds market in South Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The South African cotton seeds market volume grew from 86 068 t in 2018 to 90 465 t in 2019, driven by a 42% expansion in dryland cotton area and 22% in irrigated area as farmers responded to favorable cotton prices. Industry initiatives like the Sustainable Cotton Cluster, funded by the dti, further supported local production. This expansion was abruptly reversed in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic caused global supply chain disruptions, leading to a sharp drop in market volume to 61 290 t.

Market volume continued to decline in 2021, reaching 37 517 t. A recovery began in 2022 as cotton prices improved compared to the pandemic years, encouraging a modest increase to 40 539 t. By 2023, the market stabilized at 40 709 t, with no significant change from the previous year.

In 2024, the Ubongwa Cotton Ginnery underwent refurbishment to upgrade seed cotton processing infrastructure. The following year, policy uncertainty increased sharply in the first quarter, with the Policy Uncertainty Index worsening from 65.7 to 78.6, while inflation fluctuations impacted input costs. Ongoing industry support through the extended Sustainable Cotton Cluster funding remained a factor.

Production cotton seeds in South Africa

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of cotton seeds, 2018-2021

World map of production of cotton seeds, 2018-2021

South Africa's cotton seed production has declined for the second year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 25,062 tons of cotton seeds, marking a sharp 43.4% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production fell by 64.2%, with an annualized decline rate of 29.0%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 72,557 tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 3.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports cotton seeds from South Africa

Exports in kind, t

The market demonstrated significant volatility during the observed period. Export volumes varied dramatically, with a 13.5-fold difference between the low point in 2018 and the peak in 2020. In 2021, South Africa exported 18 tons of cotton seeds, representing an 89.2% decline from the previous year. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2020 at 169 tons, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 320.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, t

During 2018-2021, two key markets dominated South Africa's cotton seed exports in volume terms: the United Kingdom and Namibia together accounted for 82.4% of total exports. The remaining volume was distributed among various other countries.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

The export market showed considerable volatility throughout the period. From the trough in 2020 to the peak in 2021, export values increased 18-fold. In 2021, South Africa exported cotton seeds worth $253,000, representing a remarkable 1,726.0% increase year-over-year. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at $14,000, which also saw the largest annual decline of 38.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, the Netherlands (60.0% of export value), Mozambique (13.5%), and Botswana (7.2%) were the leading destinations for South Africa's cotton seed exports in value terms. Together, these three markets accounted for 80.7% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2021

Imports cotton seeds to South Africa

Imports in kind, t

South Africa's cotton seed imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the country imported 12,473 tons of cotton seeds, representing a 27.5% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports fell by 22.4%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 8.1%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 17,948 tons, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 11.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, t

Throughout 2018-2021, Mozambique (43.1% of import volume), Zambia (30.8%), and Malawi (21.2%) formed the core group of suppliers for South Africa's cotton seed imports. Together, these three countries accounted for 95.0% of total import flows in volume terms.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

South Africa's cotton seed imports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, import values totaled $2,532,000, reflecting a modest 1.4% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 21.2%, with an annualized decline rate of 7.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

During 2018-2021, three main markets—Mozambique, Zambia, and Malawi—together accounted for 90.3% of the total value of cotton seed imports to South Africa.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2021