Cotton seeds market in Western Asia

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the cotton seed market volume in Western Asia reached 2 240 thousand tons, partly due to the adoption of Bt hybrid cotton and the entry of new players focused on hybrid seeds with improved productivity. However, in 2019 and 2020, the market contracted to 1 723 thousand tons and 1 435 thousand tons respectively, primarily because of adverse climatic conditions such as droughts and floods in key cotton-producing regions in Asia, which reduced harvests and consequently seed production.

Growth resumed in 2021, with market volume rising to 1 727 thousand tons, and further to 2 050 thousand tons in 2022. This recovery was driven by the expanded use of genetically modified cotton seeds that enhance yield, as well as the launch of new seed production projects in Central Asia. Additionally, increased investment in research and development to improve seed quality and climate resilience supported production.

In 2023, the market declined again to 1 712 thousand tons, linked to the ongoing impact of regional climate changes on cotton production in Asia. Concurrently, there was growing demand for organic and sustainable cotton seeds, although this did not offset the overall market volume decrease.

Production cotton seeds in Western Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of cotton seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of cotton seeds, 2017-2020

Western Asia's cotton seeds production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 1 301 thousand tons of cotton seeds, marking a 15.9% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 20.1%, which translates to an average annual decline of 7.2%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 743 thousand tons, with the largest year-over-year increase of 7.0% also occurring that year.

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

Exports cotton seeds from Western Asia

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed significant fluctuations during this period. Export volumes hit their lowest point in 2019 and then peaked in 2020, with the peak being 1.9 times higher than the trough. In 2020, Western Asia exported 10.6 thousand tons of cotton seeds, representing a sharp 94.0% increase compared to the previous year. The minimum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 5.4 thousand tons, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 34.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, cotton seeds exports from Western Asia were not highly concentrated. Iran accounted for 12.9% of exports in kind, the United States for 11.7%, and Kazakhstan for 3.4%, with these three countries together making up only 28.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, the value of cotton seeds exports from Western Asia rebounded. In 2020, the region exported 15 509 thousand US dollars worth of cotton seeds, showing a sharp 45.4% increase year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value grew by 13.9%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 4.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 10 666 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 16.3% also occurring that year.

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

Data from 2017 to 2020 indicate that cotton seeds exports from Western Asia in value terms were not heavily concentrated on a few key destinations. The United States accounted for 25.2% of export value, Iran for 4.5%, and Greece for 4.4%, with these three countries jointly representing only 34.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports cotton seeds to Western Asia

Imports in kind, K t

The market experienced notable fluctuations during this period. Import volumes reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with the peak being 3.9 times higher than the trough. In 2020, Western Asia imported 144.2 thousand tons of cotton seeds, indicating a 20.3% decrease from 2019. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2018 at 503.9 thousand tons. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 64.1%, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a surge of 290.5%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the country structure of cotton seeds imports in kind was dominated by the United States and Greece, which together accounted for 85.0% of total import flows, with other markets contributing smaller shares.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Western Asia imported a total of 50 407 thousand US dollars worth of cotton seeds, reflecting a modest 6.2% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import value declined by 8.1%, with an average annual decrease of 2.8%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 45 776 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 16.6% also occurring that year. The largest increase was in 2019 with a rise of 17.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary suppliers of cotton seeds to Western Asia in value terms were the United States, accounting for 53.0% of imports, Greece with 23.6%, and Togo with 2.4%. Together, these three countries made up 79.0% of total import value.

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

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