Market research

Not carded or combed cotton market in South America

Release date: Mar 30, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

Report language:

Report language:

Submission method: to your account

File format: docx, xlsx

Single Report

$500

Instant access to detailed data on one specific market
Ideal for one-off tasks: niche assessments, presentations, investment decisions
Available in Excel and Word in 15 minutes after purchase
Cheaper than subscription, but each market requires a separate purchase

Best if you know exactly what you need

Buy a single report

Platform Subscription

from$600

Complete and unlimited data access across products and regions
Includes continuous data updates during subscription period
Download reports instantly in Word, and Excel formats
More cost-effective for multiple markets or regular analysis

Ideal for regular data users

View pricing plans

"South America" region includes following countries:

Argentina

Bolivia

Bouvet Island

Brazil

Chile

Colombia

Ecuador

Falkland Islands (Malvinas)

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

French Guiana

Guyana

Paraguay

Peru

Suriname

Uruguay

Venezuela

Earlier Report Observations

The market for not carded or combed cotton in South America saw strong expansion in 2019, with volume rising by over 30% to 9.3 million tons. This was followed by a slight contraction in 2020, when market volume dipped to 9.2 million tons. During this period, cotton cultivation area in Peru contracted by 8,000 hectares due to falling international prices and competitive pressure from U.S. imports, which influenced regional supply dynamics.

A significant downturn occurred in 2021, with market volume falling by nearly 20% to 7.4 million tons. A robust recovery followed over the next two years, driving the market to 10.1 million tons in 2023. This growth was propelled by a 20% increase in organic cotton production, fueled by rising consumer demand for sustainable textiles. Innovations in drought-resistant cotton varieties and a broader shift in consumer preferences toward comfortable, casual clothing further supported market expansion.

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. 4.1.2. In value
    1. 4.1.2.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.2.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.2.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in South America
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in South America 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 Argentina in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Argentina 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 Argentina in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Argentina 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 Argentina, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Argentina 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 Argentina in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Argentina 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 Argentina in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Argentina 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 Argentina, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Argentina 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 Argentina in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Argentina 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 Argentina in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Argentina 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 Argentina, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Argentina 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 Argentina in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Argentina 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 Argentina in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Argentina 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 Argentina, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Argentina 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 South America

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

South America's production of not carded or combed cotton has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 11 356 K t, marking a moderate increase of 3.5% compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production surged by 79.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 21.6%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	28.3%	35.2%	3.5%	21.6%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of growth, South America's production value of not carded or combed cotton saw a decline. In 2020, the output was valued at 16 936 M $ US, down by 4.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value still increased by 64.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 18.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 17 768 M $ US, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 35.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	35.7%	27.4%	(4.7%)	18.1%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports not carded or combed cotton from South America

Exports in kind, K t

South America's exports of not carded or combed cotton have risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 2 244 K t, showing a sharp increase of 31.3% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 158.6%, translating to an average annual rate of 37.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	24.5%	58.1%	31.3%	37.3%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, the top destinations for South America's not carded or combed cotton exports in volume terms were China, with 26.3% of the total, Vietnam at 15.8%, and Indonesia at 13.5%. Together, these three countries accounted for 55.6% of all exports.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of not carded or combed cotton exports from South America has increased for the third year running. In 2020, exports amounted to 3 347 M $ US, up by 20.9% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value rose by 137.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 33.4%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	31.7%	48.9%	20.9%	33.4%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, China, Vietnam, and Indonesia were the key partners for South America's not carded or combed cotton exports in value terms. China held a 26.7% share, Vietnam 15.7%, and Indonesia 13.8%, collectively making up 56.2% of total export value.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports not carded or combed cotton to South America

Imports in kind, K t

South America's imports of not carded or combed cotton have fallen for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports stood at approximately 59 K t, a decrease of 22.8% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports dropped by 53.4%, with an average annual decline of 22.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(9.5%)	(33.4%)	(22.8%)	(22.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

During the 2017-2020 period, the United States and Mexico were the main suppliers of not carded or combed cotton to South America, together accounting for 88.9% of total import volume.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

South America's imports of not carded or combed cotton in value terms have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 107 M $ US, which is 27.6% lower than in 2019. From 2017 to 2020, import value decreased by 56.4%, with an average annual rate of decline of 24.2%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(2.3%)	(38.3%)	(27.6%)	(24.2%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the United States dominated South America's imports of not carded or combed cotton in value terms, holding an 89.2% share of total flows. Other markets combined accounted for the remaining portion.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io