Not carded or combed cotton market in Uganda

Earlier Report Observations

Ugandan production of not carded or combed cotton increased from 139 thousand tons in 2018 to 182 thousand tons in 2021, with market volume expanding similarly. This growth occurred alongside volatile export prices, which declined to $1.54 per kg in 2019 and $1.38 per kg in 2020 before recovering to $1.87 per kg in 2021. Government policy focusing on value addition industries and increased cotton yields provided support for production during this period.

Production stabilized around 182 thousand tons from 2022 to 2023, with market volume showing minor fluctuations. The preparation of the Cotton Development (Amendment) Bill in 2023 signaled regulatory changes aimed at rationalizing government agencies and expenditure in the cotton sector. Additionally, a significant 132% increase in nonwoven fabric exports in 2022 highlighted emerging textile segments that could influence cotton demand.

In 2024, the Cotton Development (Amendment) Bill was under parliamentary consideration, and the African Development Bank approved a $2 million grant for the Cotton Value Chain Project. Plans were announced for five new vertically integrated textile mills, and a ban on secondhand clothing imports was scheduled for September 2024 to support the local cotton industry.

Production not carded or combed cotton in Uganda

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Uganda ranked as the 30th largest global producer 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

Uganda's production of not carded or combed cotton grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 175.0 K t, marking a 13.6% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 10.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.4%. The lowest output was in 2018 at 138.8 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 12.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Uganda's production of not carded or combed cotton increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 248.4 M $ US, showing a slight rise of 1.4% from the year before. Between 2017 and 2020, however, production value decreased by 5.4%, equivalent to an annualized rate of -1.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 212.9 M $ US, which experienced the largest decline of 18.9%. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase of 15.0%.

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

Exports not carded or combed cotton from Uganda

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Uganda exported 7 953 t of not carded or combed cotton, representing a sharp increase of 35.8% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 51%, with an annualized rate of 14.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 23.9%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 46.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Uganda's exports in kind were highly diversified across countries. Portugal accounted for 21.0% of exports, the United Kingdom for 12.1%, and Singapore for 11.8%, together making up 44.9% of total flows. The remaining 55.1% was distributed among numerous smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Uganda's exports of not carded or combed cotton in 2020 amounted to 11 289 K $ US, up by 21.2% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 29.2%, with an annualized growth rate of 8.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 11 805 K $ US. The largest decline was in 2019 at 21.1%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 35.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Uganda's export value was scattered across various countries. Portugal contributed 22.1% of exports, Singapore 12.6%, and the United Kingdom 11.0%, together accounting for 45.7% of total flows. No single partner emerged as clearly dominant during this period.

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

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

Imports not carded or combed cotton to Uganda

Imports in kind, t

Uganda's import volumes of not carded or combed cotton showed noticeable fluctuations from 2017 to 2020. The lowest point was in 2018 at 0.1 t, while the peak was in 2017, resulting in a top-to-bottom ratio of 5.8 times. In 2020, imports stood at 0.3 t, indicating a sharp drop of 25.4% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 82.9%, and the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 362.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China, the United Arab Emirates, and Turkey consistently led Uganda's imports in kind. China accounted for 30.1% of imports, the United Arab Emirates for 23.3%, and Turkey for 22.7%, jointly representing 76.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Uganda's import market for not carded or combed cotton exhibited volatility from 2017 to 2020. The minimum value was in 2018 at 0.3 K $ US, and the maximum was in 2019 at 3 K $ US, showing an 8.8-fold variation. In 2020, imports registered 2 K $ US, a substantial decline of 15.9% from the previous year. The largest decline was in 2018 at 76.1%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 781.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates were the primary suppliers of not carded or combed cotton to Uganda in value terms. South Africa contributed 36.8% of imports, Turkey 27.8%, and the United Arab Emirates 17.4%, together accounting for 82.0% of total import value.

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

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