Not carded or combed cotton market in Guinea-Bissau

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, production of not carded or combed cotton in Guinea-Bissau remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 6 908 t and 7 190 t. The highest output of 7 190 t was recorded in 2020, coinciding with the implementation of specific international certification procedures for this cotton type, which likely supported production by improving quality control and market access. Output then moderated to around 7 010 t by 2023, with only minor year-to-year variations.

The sector operated within a framework of environmental and natural resource regulations that intensified from the late 1990s, affecting the management of cotton resources. By 2024, broader structural challenges shaped the market context: Guinea-Bissau's fragile economy, heavily reliant on subsistence agriculture and with widespread poverty, constrained local consumption and production. Additionally, Brazil's rise as the world's largest exporter of not carded or combed cotton introduced competitive pressures on the regional market, while domestic issues such as political instability and climate shocks continued to impact agricultural output.

Production not carded or combed cotton in Guinea-Bissau

In kind, 2017-2020, 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, Guinea-Bissau produced 7 190 tonnes of not carded or combed cotton, representing a 4.1% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 5.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.8%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 2.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Guinea-Bissau in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports not carded or combed cotton from Guinea-Bissau

According to industry reports, Guinea-Bissau did not export any not carded or combed cotton between 2017 and 2020.

Imports not carded or combed cotton to Guinea-Bissau

Imports in kind, kg

Imports of not carded or combed cotton into Guinea-Bissau declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 140 kg, a sharp drop of 41.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 98.5%, with a compound annual decline rate of 75.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Guinea-Bissau in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, China and Spain were the leading suppliers of not carded or combed cotton to Guinea-Bissau, together accounting for 81.0% of total imports by volume. Other countries each held relatively small shares.

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

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

Imports in value, $ US

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. In 2019, imports reached their lowest value at 1 196 US dollars, while 2018 saw the peak at 8 943 US dollars, creating a 7.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the value of not carded or combed cotton imports into Guinea-Bissau was 1 325 US dollars, showing a strong recovery of 10.8% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with an 86.6% drop, while the most significant increase was in 2018, with a 97.2% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands, China, and Portugal were the top contributors to imports by value, accounting for 55.9%, 18.2%, and 16.9% respectively. Together, these three countries made up 91.0% of total import value.

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

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