Cottonseed oil and fractions market in Asia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the Asian cottonseed oil market volume grew by 2.6% to 3.45 million tonnes. This increase was primarily driven by major state-owned companies expanding production capacity through new large-scale facilities and plant modernization. Simultaneously, rising consumer health awareness boosted demand for non-GMO and health-focused cottonseed oil products, supporting overall consumption.

The market contracted by 4.1% in 2020 to 3.31 million tonnes due to direct impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted supply chains and altered consumption patterns. In subsequent years, volatility in global raw material prices and changes in international trade policy continued to pressure the market, while stricter government regulations on food safety and quality control affected distribution. Efforts to stabilize global supply chains and sustained consumer preference for healthy, sustainable products helped moderate the decline, leading to a slight recovery to 3.15 million tonnes by 2023.

Production cottonseed oil and fractions in Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of cottonseed oil and fractions, 2017-2020

World map of production of cottonseed oil and fractions, 2017-2020

In 2019, Asia's production of cottonseed oil and fractions reached its peak at 3,450 thousand tonnes. However, in 2020, output declined to 3,306 thousand tonnes, representing a moderate year-over-year decrease of 4.2%. Over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 2.9%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.0%. The most significant production increase occurred in 2019, when output rose by 2.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Cottonseed oil and fractions production in Asia has grown for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the value of this production reached 5,060 million US dollars, marking an 8.6% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 14.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 3,930 million US dollars, which represented an 11.3% decline from the previous year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase, with production value jumping by 18.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports cottonseed oil and fractions from Asia

Exports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, cottonseed oil and fractions exports from Asia experienced a decline. In 2020, export volume stood at 35,986 tonnes, down 8.5% from the previous year. However, over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, exports increased significantly by 61.1%, averaging an annual growth rate of 17.2%. The peak export volume was achieved in 2019 at 39,308 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 44.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the largest buyers of cottonseed oil and fractions from Asia were Australia, accounting for 21.4% of exports in kind, the Netherlands with 2.2%, and New Zealand with 2.0%. Together, these three countries represented 25.5% of Asia's total exports in kind during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Asia's cottonseed oil and fractions export value has risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 55,073 thousand US dollars, up 3.8% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, export value grew substantially by 89.4%, with an average annual increase of 23.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Australia remained the leading destination for Asia's cottonseed oil and fractions exports in value terms, representing 26.7% of the total. New Zealand followed with 2.5%, and the Netherlands with 1.6%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 30.8% of Asia's total export flows in value during this timeframe.

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

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

Imports cottonseed oil and fractions to Asia

Imports in kind, t

After increasing for two years, cottonseed oil and fractions imports into Asia saw a slight downturn. In 2020, import volume totaled 38,922 tonnes, a modest 1.3% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 15.5%, averaging an annual increase of 4.9%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 39,434 tonnes, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018, when imports rose by 8.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States was the largest supplier of cottonseed oil and fractions to Asia in kind, accounting for 13.8% of imports. Brazil followed with 3.6%, and Australia with 2.6%. However, even combined, these three suppliers represented only 20.1% of total imports in kind, indicating that Asia's import sources are broadly diversified across many partners.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Asia's cottonseed oil and fractions import value has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 52,824 thousand US dollars, up 3.3% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value rose by 24%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 42,145 thousand US dollars, which saw a 1.0% decline. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, when import value surged by 21.3%.

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

During 2017-2020, the United States was the most important supplier of cottonseed oil and fractions to Asia in value terms, representing 14.2% of imports. Brazil accounted for 4.4%, and Australia for 2.9%. Together, these three suppliers made up 21.4% of total import value, while the remaining 78.6% was distributed among numerous other trading partners, reflecting a highly diversified import structure.

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

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