Not carded or combed cotton market in Myanmar, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market for not carded or combed cotton in Myanmar contracted, with production falling from 489 thousand tons to 413.8 thousand tons and market volume declining to 403.9 thousand tons. Cotton cultivation has long been a traditional livelihood in dry regions such as Anya, Mandalay, Sagaing, and Magway, forming the backbone of the local textile industry.

A turnaround began in 2021, and production rebounded sharply to 476.3 thousand tons by 2022, lifting market volume to 464.2 thousand tons. This growth was driven by the government's focus on expanding cotton production zones, with Magway Region cultivating 172,793 acres in the 2022-23 financial year, and by Myanmar's reinstatement into the Generalized System of Preference (GSP), which provided preferential tariff benefits and stimulated farming activity.

In 2023, production remained high at 473.2 thousand tons, and market volume stabilized at 460.8 thousand tons. The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation planned to provide seeds, inputs, and technical assistance to reach 700,000 acres of cotton cultivation, supporting the entire value chain from farm to fabric. For the 2024-25 financial year, the government targeted 612,712 acres of cotton across 19 zones, with further expansion planned to 747,000 acres by 2027-28.

Production not carded or combed cotton in Myanmar

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Myanmar ranked 20th globally in the production of not carded or combed cotton.

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

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

Myanmar's production of not carded or combed cotton declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 413.8 thousand tonnes, which was 7.4% lower than the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 21.5%, with an average annual decrease of 7.8%.

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

Exports not carded or combed cotton from Myanmar

Exports in kind, t

Exports of not carded or combed cotton from Myanmar increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 10 158 tonnes, marking a 91.3% year-on-year rise. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 187.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 42.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China was the primary and nearly exclusive market for Myanmar's exports of not carded or combed cotton, accounting for 98.6% of total shipments.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Exports of not carded or combed cotton from Myanmar increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, export value stood at 22 320 thousand US dollars, a notable 23.0% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 63.4%, with an average annual growth of 17.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 11 066 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 19.0%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 64.0% jump.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, China was the key partner for Myanmar's exports in value terms, representing 99.5% of total flows.

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

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

Imports not carded or combed cotton to Myanmar

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Imports fluctuated significantly, with a 13.1-fold difference between the high in 2017 and the low in 2019. In 2020, Myanmar imported {value_last_year} tonnes of not carded or combed cotton, reflecting a sharp increase of 213.2% from the previous year. The minimum volume was recorded in 2019 at 61 tonnes, while the largest decline of 78.9% occurred in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China and Thailand were the leading sources for Myanmar's imports of not carded or combed cotton, together accounting for 81.8% of total flows, with the remainder distributed among other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations over the period. Imports peaked in 2017 and reached their lowest point in 2019, with a 53-fold gap between these years. In 2020, imports of not carded or combed cotton into Myanmar amounted to 967 thousand US dollars, equivalent to a gain of 927.8% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 94 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline of 88.1% was seen in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China dominated Myanmar's imports in value terms, capturing 70.7% of total flows, while other markets made up a fragmented share.

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

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