Cotton seeds market in the United States

Earlier Report Observations

The US cotton seed market volume fluctuated between 2018 and 2023, peaking at 5 077 thousand tons in 2019 before declining to 3 047 thousand tons in 2023. This volatility in production was partly driven by the spread of glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth weed, which increased control costs to USD 60 per acre and impacted yields. The market has long been shaped by major players like Bayer Crop Science and Corteva Agriscience, which provide genetically modified varieties.

Technological innovation continued with BASF SE and Corteva, Inc. introducing new high-yield cotton seed varieties featuring advanced herbicide tolerance for the 2024 season. In 2024, the USDA approved a three-gene Bt cotton variety to address pink bollworm resistance, expanding pest management options. John Deere's CP770 cotton picker also entered the market, reducing field losses and improving harvesting efficiency.

Sustainability and structural shifts influenced the market, as the Better Cotton Initiative covered 2.1 million US acres by 2024, supporting certified fiber production. Farm consolidation accelerated, raising the average farm size from 1 200 to 1 650 acres between 2020 and 2024, which affected seed treatment adoption patterns. Meanwhile, biological seed treatment ingredient prices rose 18% in 2024, narrowing their cost advantage over synthetic alternatives.

Production cotton seeds in the United States

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States ranked as the world's third-largest producer of cotton seeds.

Top producers of cotton seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of cotton seeds, 2017-2020

In 2020, the United States produced 4 023 K t of cotton seeds, marking a 25.4% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 30.9%, which translates to an annualized decline of 11.6%. The highest increase occurred in 2019, at 5.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of cotton seeds output in the United States was 1 218 M $ US, down 20.5% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value decreased by 28.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -10.5%. The largest increase was in 2019, at 8.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports cotton seeds from the United States

Exports in kind, K t

Cotton seeds exports from the United States declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 312.4 K t, a 1.5% drop from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 23.1%, with a CAGR of -8.4%. The peak was in 2018 at 427.5 K t, while the largest decline of 25.8% happened in 2019. The highest increase of 5.3% was also recorded in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, three key markets—South Korea, Mexico, and Saudi Arabia—accounted for 75.4% of total U.S. cotton seeds exports in volume.

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

World map of product's exports from the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, U.S. cotton seeds exports in value terms rebounded. In 2020, exports reached 94.6 M $ US, up 4.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value fell by 20.1%, equating to an annualized rate of -7.2%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 90.2 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 23.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United States in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, South Korea (29.8% of export value), Mexico (26.9%), and Saudi Arabia (19.7%) were the primary partners for U.S. cotton seeds exports in value, together making up 76.3% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports from the United States in value, 2017-2020

Imports cotton seeds to the United States

Imports in kind, K t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 1.5 K t and peaked in 2020 at 6.1 K t, showing a 4.2-fold difference. In 2020, imports surged by 316.4% compared to 2019. The largest decline of 47.9% occurred in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Mexico was the dominant source for U.S. cotton seeds imports in volume, capturing 81.6% of total flows, with the rest spread among smaller markets.

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

World map of product's imports to the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, U.S. cotton seeds imports were valued at 6.5 M $ US, a 53.2% increase from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value rose by 43.1%, with an annualized growth rate of 12.7%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 4.2 M $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 7.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United States in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Over 2017-2020, Israel and Mexico accounted for the bulk of U.S. cotton seeds imports in value, while other markets played a minor role.

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

World map of product's imports to the United States in value, 2017-2020