Cotton seeds market in South-eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The cotton seed market in South-eastern Asia began the period at a high volume of 187.7 thousand tons in 2018, a level supported by strong regional demand for cotton fiber and the widespread adoption of high-yielding hybrid and genetically modified seed varieties. Market volume then contracted significantly over the next three years, falling to 111.5 thousand tons by 2021.

A clear recovery emerged in 2022, with the market expanding to 165.4 thousand tons before stabilizing at 163.5 thousand tons in 2023. This resurgence aligned with product innovation from major global seed companies, including Corteva and BASF, which released new high-yield cotton seed varieties with advanced herbicide tolerance traits in late 2023.

The trend of innovation continued into 2024, marked by Bayer's launch of a new seed treatment, Corteva's entry into the biological seed treatment segment, and a strategic partnership between BASF and Nufarm to co-develop seed treatment products. These moves underscored a broader industry focus on enhancing seed technology and forming collaborations to improve crop performance.

Production cotton seeds in South-eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of cotton seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of cotton seeds, 2017-2020

Cotton seeds production in South-eastern Asia has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 113.9 thousand tonnes, which represents a significant 15.1% decrease compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 46.8%, translating to an average annual decline of 19.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports cotton seeds from South-eastern Asia

Exports in kind, t

After two years of decline, cotton seeds exports from South-eastern Asia rebounded in 2020. Exports reached 4 346 tonnes, marking a strong 21.7% increase from 2019. However, over the full 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 45.1%, with an average annual decline of 18.1%. The lowest point was in 2019 at 3 572 tonnes, while the sharpest drop occurred in 2018 with a 41.5% decrease.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the key markets for cotton seeds exports in volume terms were China, South Korea, and India. China accounted for 23.1% of exports, South Korea for 20.6%, and India for 18.7%. Together, these three countries represented 62.4% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year decline, cotton seeds exports from South-eastern Asia in value terms increased in 2020. Exports amounted to 1 556 thousand US dollars, showing a 34.9% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, exports fell by 76%, equivalent to an average annual decrease of 37.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 154 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 63.8%.

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

The market base for cotton seeds exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was quite broad. India was the top destination with 24.3% of exports, followed by China at 10.3% and South Korea at 8.8%. Together, these three countries accounted for 43.4% of total flows, while the remaining 56.6% was distributed among numerous other nations.

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

World map of product's exports from South-eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020

Imports cotton seeds to South-eastern Asia

Imports in kind, t

The cotton seeds import market in South-eastern Asia showed considerable volatility during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 909 tonnes, which was 10.8 times lower than the peak in 2017. In 2020, imports rebounded sharply to 3 814 tonnes, representing a dramatic 319.5% increase year-over-year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with an 88.8% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, cotton seeds imports in volume terms to South-eastern Asia were not heavily concentrated. The top three suppliers were Togo with 6.5% of imports, Russia with 5.0%, and Greece with 3.9%. Combined, these countries accounted for only 15.3% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

The cotton seeds import market in value terms exhibited volatility from 2017 to 2020. Imports peaked in 2018 at 5 528 thousand US dollars and fell to their lowest point in 2019 at 1 362 thousand US dollars, a 4.1-fold difference. In 2020, imports increased to 2 374 thousand US dollars, up 74.3% from the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 with a 75.4% decrease.

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

During 2017-2020, the partner landscape for cotton seeds imports in value terms was diverse. India was the largest source with 13.2% of imports, followed by China at 6.3% and Russia at 3.0%. Together, these three countries represented just 22.5% of total flows, while a substantial 77.5% came from many other countries.

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

World map of product's imports to South-eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020