Cotton seeds market in Tanzania

Earlier Report Observations

Tanzania's cotton seeds market experienced a rapid expansion from 2018 to 2020, with production jumping from 140 thousand tons to 220 thousand tons. This surge was primarily driven by the implementation of the Cotton Victoria Project, supported by the Brazilian government and UNDP, which introduced improved planting techniques like new spacing methods to boost yields. Concurrently, substantial government subsidies for seeds and fertilizers enabled over 100,000 cotton farmers to scale their operations, directly increasing output. By 2020, efforts to enhance seed production through public-private partnerships and the introduction of digital weighing and warehouse receipt systems in Mwanza region improved market transparency and helped maintain production at the elevated level.

A sharp contraction followed in 2021, with production falling to 78 thousand tons and market volume dropping to 77.4 thousand tons. While government support programs continued, persistent challenges such as global cotton price volatility and limited access to financial services for farmers likely pressured the sector. Recovery began thereafter, with production rising to 106.9 thousand tons by 2023, aided by continued investment in seed research and development, alongside subsidized fertilizers that improved farming efficiency and uptake of better seeds.

Throughout the period, the Tanzania Cotton Board played a central role in monitoring and supporting farmers under the regulatory framework of the Cotton Industry Act of 2011. Despite a slight decrease in export value in 2023 due to unfavorable world prices, calls for increased investment across the cotton-to-textile value chain, including to leverage trade agreements like AGOA, highlighted the sector's ongoing potential for growth and development.

Production cotton seeds in Tanzania

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Tanzania ranked as the 20th largest producer of cotton seeds globally.

Top producers of cotton seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of cotton seeds, 2017-2020

In 2020, Tanzania produced 220.0 K t of cotton seeds, showing no significant change from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 158.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 37.3%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 220.0 K t, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 64.7%.

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

Exports cotton seeds from Tanzania

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Tanzania exported 208 t of cotton seeds, representing a 60.0% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 246.7%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 51.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Burundi and Uganda were the dominant destinations for Tanzania's cotton seed exports, together accounting for 84.9% of total export volumes, with other countries holding much smaller shares.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Tanzania's cotton seed exports were valued at 43.7 K $ US, up 138.6% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased by 773.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 106.0%.

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

During 2017-2020, Burundi accounted for 88.2% of Tanzania's total cotton seed export value, while the remaining exports were distributed among a broad group of smaller countries.

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

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

Imports cotton seeds to Tanzania

Imports in kind, t

The market experienced significant volatility during this period. In 2020, Tanzania imported 183 t of cotton seeds, marking a sharp decline of 95.0% from 2019. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 6 160 t, with the largest year-on-year increase also occurring in 2018 at 430.5%. Overall, imports varied 34-fold between the peak in 2018 and the low in 2020.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Uganda was the dominant supplier of cotton seeds to Tanzania, accounting for 98.3% of total import volumes.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. In 2020, Tanzania's cotton seed imports were valued at 33.0 K $ US, down 94.5% from 2019. The peak import value was recorded in 2018 at 846.9 K $ US, with the largest year-on-year increase also in 2018 at 713.2%. Overall, import values varied 26-fold between the high in 2018 and the low in 2020.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Uganda accounted for 97.7% of Tanzania's total cotton seed import value, making it the overwhelmingly dominant market.

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

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