Not carded or combed cotton market in ECOWAS

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, production and market volume of not carded or combed cotton in ECOWAS experienced notable volatility. Production rose from 3.5 million tons in 2018 to a peak of 4.4 million tons in 2021, before declining to 3.4 million tons in 2023. The domestic market volume followed a similar pattern, reaching 3.4 million tons in 2019 and 3.3 million tons in 2021, with fluctuations largely mirroring production changes.

Export levels played a significant role in shaping domestic availability. In 2021, exports surged to 1.1 million tons, which limited the market volume despite high production. By 2023, exports had fallen to 479 thousand tons, contributing to a market volume increase to 3 million tons even as production declined.

By 2024, the region faced abundant global cotton supply, particularly from West Africa, which exerted downward pressure on prices. This environment influenced export dynamics, with reported declines in ECOWAS exports of not carded or combed cotton by 11.9% during the year. Benin, a major exporter within ECOWAS, diversified its export markets to include Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan.

Production not carded or combed cotton in ECOWAS

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of not carded or combed cotton, 2017-2020

World map of production of not carded or combed cotton, 2017-2020

In 2020, ECOWAS produced 3 376 thousand tonnes of not carded or combed cotton, marking a significant 18.3% decline compared to the previous year. Production decreased by 13.5% between 2017 and 2020, which translates to an annualized rate of 4.7%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 4 133 thousand tonnes, with the largest annual increase of 17.2% also occurring that year.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output of not carded or combed cotton in ECOWAS was valued at 5 324 million US dollars, representing a substantial 22.7% decrease from the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value fell by 11.7%, equating to an annualized decline of 4.0%. The peak value was reached in 2019 at 6 891 million US dollars, with the largest annual increase of 15.2% also recorded that year.

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

Exports not carded or combed cotton from ECOWAS

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, exports of not carded or combed cotton from ECOWAS declined. In 2020, exports stood at 691.0 thousand tonnes, showing a moderate 10.0% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 8.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.6%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 767.5 thousand tonnes, with the largest annual increase of 12.5% also occurring that year.

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

Analysis of export volumes from 2017 to 2020 reveals a widely distributed market structure. Bangladesh accounted for 27.3% of exports, Singapore for 12.6%, and Vietnam for 9.3%. Together, these three markets represented 49.2% of total flows, while the remaining 50.8% was distributed among numerous other trading partners.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, the value of not carded or combed cotton exports from ECOWAS declined. In 2020, exports were valued at 1 090 million US dollars, representing a significant 14.8% reduction from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased by 10.4%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 3.3%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 1 279 million US dollars, while the largest annual increase of 17.2% occurred in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bangladesh accounted for 27.9% of export value, Singapore for 12.9%, and Vietnam for 9.3%. Together, these three markets represented 50.2% of total export value, making them the primary destinations for not carded or combed cotton from ECOWAS.

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

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

Imports not carded or combed cotton to ECOWAS

Imports in kind, K t

Import data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 0.3 thousand tonnes, while the highest was in 2020 at 1.7 thousand tonnes, reflecting a 6.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports surged by 533.1% compared to the previous year. The largest annual decline of 42.5% occurred in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China and Denmark were the leading sources of imports by volume for not carded or combed cotton into ECOWAS. China accounted for 23.1% of total import flows, while Denmark represented 3.2%.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Import value data reveals irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. The lowest value was recorded in 2017, while the highest was in 2019, showing a 4.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports were valued at 3 million US dollars, indicating a slight 2.6% decrease from the previous year. The largest annual increase of 263.7% occurred in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, the United Arab Emirates, and France were the principal sources of imports by value for not carded or combed cotton into ECOWAS. China accounted for 16.0% of import value, the United Arab Emirates for 1.1%, and France for 0.6%. Together, these three markets represented 17.7% of total import flows.

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

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