Market research

Not carded or combed cotton market in MENA

Release date: Mar 30, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"MENA" region includes following countries:

Algeria

Bahrain

Djibouti

Egypt

Israel

Jordan

Iran

Iraq

Qatar

Kuwait

Lebanon

Libya

Malta

Morocco

the United Arab Emirates

Oman

Saudi Arabia

Syria

Tunisia

Yemen

Earlier Report Observations

The not carded or combed cotton market in the MENA region experienced a sharp contraction from 1 010.7 thousand tons in 2018 to 606.1 thousand tons in 2020. This decline occurred amid armed conflicts that destabilized agricultural production and supply chains across the region.

Market volume recovered to 955.5 thousand tons by 2022, supported by a broader improvement in agricultural output in North Africa, reflected in increased fruit and vegetable production. However, by 2023 the market size had fallen again to 826.9 thousand tons.

In 2024, trade dynamics were impacted by tensions in the Red Sea, which cut Egyptian cotton exports by 49%, while national restructuring plans for state-owned spinning and weaving mills aimed to redirect raw cotton to domestic processing, alongside government efforts to expand cotton cultivation areas.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in MENA
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in MENA in kind, 2018-2023, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production not carded or combed cotton in MENA

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Production of not carded or combed cotton in the MENA region declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 523.9 K t, marking a dramatic 28.6% reduction compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 17.7%, which translates to an annualized rate of 6.3%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 872.4 K t, with the largest increase of 37.0% also occurring that year.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	37.0%	(15.9%)	(28.6%)	(6.3%)

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Production of not carded or combed cotton in the MENA region declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 788 M $ US, representing a sharp 36.9% fall compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 35.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 13.5%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 621 M $ US, with the largest increase of 33.1% also occurring that year.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	33.1%	(23.0%)	(36.9%)	(13.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports not carded or combed cotton from MENA

Exports in kind, K t

Cross-border shipments of not carded or combed cotton from the MENA region increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, MENA exported 138.1 K t, showing a strong year-over-year rise of 21.3%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 61.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	15.4%	15.3%	21.3%	17.3%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, India, Pakistan, and Turkey remained the top buyers of not carded or combed cotton from the MENA region. India accounted for 43.1% of exports in kind, while Pakistan and Turkey each held 15.9%. Together, these three countries represented 75.0% of total exports in kind.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

Exports of not carded or combed cotton from the MENA region increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, MENA exported 207.6 M $ US, amounting to a 7.2% advance year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 26.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	12.0%	5.7%	7.2%	8.3%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, India, Pakistan, and Turkey continued to be the leading destinations for exports in value terms. India accounted for 44.2% of exports, Pakistan for 15.9%, and Turkey for 13.0%. Combined, these three countries captured 73.1% of total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports not carded or combed cotton to MENA

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year advance, imported volumes of not carded or combed cotton in the MENA region declined. In 2020, MENA imported 261.9 K t, showing a 15.9% fall from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 4.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.6%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 261.9 K t, with the largest increase of 10.5% also occurring that year.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	2.5%	10.5%	(15.9%)	(1.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

During 2017 to 2020, Greece, Uzbekistan, and the United States were important suppliers of not carded or combed cotton to the MENA region. Greece accounted for 24.4% of imports in kind, Uzbekistan for 13.0%, and the United States for 11.9%. However, their combined share reached only 49.3% of total imports, with the remaining 50.7% distributed among many other partners.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year gain, MENA's imports of not carded or combed cotton declined. In 2020, imports stood at 377.8 M $ US, which is 23.1% weaker compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 14.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.2%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 491.2 M $ US, with the largest increase of 7.0% occurring in 2018.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	7.0%	3.4%	(23.1%)	(5.2%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, imports in value terms of not carded or combed cotton to the MENA region were not heavily concentrated. Greece accounted for 23.2% of imports, Uzbekistan for 13.4%, and the United States for 11.6%. Together, these three suppliers captured only 48.1% of total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io