Cotton seeds market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The cotton seed market in Southern Europe experienced notable fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. Growth in 2019 was supported by the increasing adoption of hybrid cotton seeds and new varieties introduced by major companies like Bayer and Corteva Agriscience, which enhanced productivity and fiber quality. This expansion was, however, interrupted in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global supply chains and dampened demand, leading to a contraction in market volume.

A partial recovery followed in 2021 as post-pandemic conditions improved, aided by continued investment in seed treatment technologies and support from European Union agricultural policies regulating cotton cultivation. Despite this rebound, the market volume declined again in 2022, coinciding with the launch of advanced seed varieties from players like Armor Seed but also with broader global factors such as climatic conditions that affected yields.

By 2023, the market had fallen to 324 thousand tons, a level significantly lower than at the start of the period. This continued decrease occurred alongside the ongoing expansion of the hybrid seed segment and evolving EU regulations for the 2023-2027 period, yet was also shaped by environmental factors influencing cotton production in the region.

Production cotton seeds in Southern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of cotton seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of cotton seeds, 2017-2020

Southern Europe's cotton seeds production experienced a two-year growth period before declining. In 2019, production reached its peak at 688 thousand tons, but then fell by 15.2% to 584 thousand tons in 2020. Looking at the broader 2017-2020 period, production actually increased by 24.4%, representing an average annual growth rate of 7.5%. The most significant single-year increase occurred in 2018, when production jumped by 21.5%.

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

Exports cotton seeds from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

The export data reveals a volatile market environment with irregular fluctuations. In 2018, exports hit their lowest point at 105.9 thousand tons, representing a 25.0% decline from the previous year. The following year saw a dramatic turnaround, with exports surging by 97.0% to reach 208.6 thousand tons in 2019. In 2020, exports remained virtually unchanged at 208.3 thousand tons. The difference between the peak in 2019 and the trough in 2018 was approximately two-fold.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Southern Europe in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Southern Europe's cotton seeds exports were distributed across a wide range of trading partners. Saudi Arabia accounted for 14.7% of exports, followed by the United Arab Emirates at 3.1% and South Korea at 2.9%. Together, these three markets represented just 20.7% of total export flows, indicating a highly diversified partner portfolio.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Southern Europe's cotton seeds exports in value terms have grown for three consecutive years. In 2020, exports reached $72.458 million, representing a 10.7% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 33.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Southern Europe's cotton seeds exports in value terms showed a broad distribution across multiple markets. Saudi Arabia accounted for 12.8% of export value, the United Arab Emirates for 2.5%, and South Korea for 2.2%. Combined, these three markets represented only 17.5% of total export flows, demonstrating significant market diversification.

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

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

Imports cotton seeds to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Southern Europe's cotton seeds imports in volume terms stood at 102.9 thousand tons in 2020, marking a 10.7% decrease compared to the previous year. The lowest import volume occurred in 2018 at 78.9 thousand tons, representing a substantial 36.9% decline from 2017. Imports then rebounded in 2019 with a 46.0% increase before declining again in 2020. Overall, between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 17.7%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 6.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Southern Europe in kind, 2017-2020, K t

During the 2017-2020 period, Southern Europe's cotton seeds imports in volume terms were spread across numerous markets. Togo accounted for 2.3% of imports, Austria for 1.1%, and Argentina for 1.0%. Together, these three countries represented just 4.3% of total import flows, highlighting the broad geographical distribution of supply sources.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Southern Europe's cotton seeds imports in value terms reached $49.154 million in 2020, showing a 17.2% increase compared to the previous year. The highest import value occurred in 2018 at $49.212 million, while the lowest was recorded in 2019 at $41.931 million, representing a 14.8% decline from 2018. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 4.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Southern Europe's cotton seeds imports in value terms were characterized by a wide distribution across multiple markets. Togo accounted for 1.9% of import value, Israel for 1.1%, and France for 1.0%. Combined, these three markets represented only 4.0% of total import flows, indicating a highly diversified sourcing strategy.

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

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