Not carded or combed cotton market Turkey

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the market for not carded or combed cotton in Turkey reached 4 237 thousand tons. The country imported high-quality cotton from the U.S. and saw new suppliers like Syria enter the market, while government support policies aimed at boosting production and exports were in place. By 2019, the market contracted to 3 829 thousand tons, coinciding with a decline in raw cotton output to around 882 thousand tons. The market further fell to 3 408 thousand tons in 2020, even as cotton yield in Turkey continued to improve, placing the country second globally for productivity.

A recovery followed in 2021, with the market expanding to 4 138 thousand tons. This turnaround was supported by policies that treated cotton farming as a locomotive for the textile sector and by the wider adoption of non-GMO seeds alongside domestic breeding programs. Growth continued in 2022, pushing the market to 4 768 thousand tons, driven by an industry focus on sustainable and certified production—a shift underscored by warnings from the Turkish Clothing Manufacturers Association that market share could be lost without certification.

The market sharply contracted in 2023 to 3 338 thousand tons. This drop was primarily due to a global decline in cotton production caused by lower outputs in Australia and Benin, coupled with reduced domestic demand in Turkey. Concurrently, exports increased and organic cotton production gained traction, but these factors did not offset the overall market contraction.

Production not carded or combed cotton Turkey

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey ranked as the world's seventh-largest 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

Turkey's production of not carded or combed cotton fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 2,430 thousand tonnes, marking a 19.4% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production dropped by 27.1%, with an average annual decline of 10.0%. The highest output was in 2018 at 3,547 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 6.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of not carded or combed cotton production in Turkey declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 4,469 million US dollars, down 15.0% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value fell by 31%, averaging an 11.7% annual decrease. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 6,568 million US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 1.4%, while the steepest drop was in 2019 at 19.9%.

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

Exports not carded or combed cotton to Turkey

Exports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market. Exports varied significantly, with a 1.8-fold difference between the low of 2017 and the high of 2018. In 2020, Turkey exported 87 thousand tonnes of not carded or combed cotton, a 33.9% decrease from 2019. The maximum volume was recorded in 2018 at 142 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest increase of 76.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports to Turkey in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Italy were the top contributors to Turkey's exports in kind. Bangladesh accounted for 35.2% of exports, Pakistan for 9.1%, and Italy for 7.5%, together making up 51.7% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports to Turkey in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Turkey's export value of not carded or combed cotton decreased for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 160 million US dollars, a sharp 30.3% drop from the previous year. The highest value was in 2018 at 264 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 67.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, no single market dominated Turkey's exports in value terms. Bangladesh held 33.2% of export value, Pakistan 8.7%, and Italy 7.5%, collectively accounting for 49.3% of total exports. Many smaller partners each had modest individual shares.

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

World map of product's exports to Turkey in value, 2017-2020

Imports not carded or combed cotton in Turkey

Imports in kind, K t

Turkey's imports of not carded or combed cotton rose for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 1,065 thousand tonnes, a significant 12.5% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 10.9%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 3.5%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 833 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 13.2%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2019 at 13.6%.

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

During 2017-2020, the United States, Brazil, and Greece were the key partners for Turkey's imports in kind. The United States contributed 40.3% of imports, Brazil 14.3%, and Greece 12.7%, together representing 67.3% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Turkey's import value of not carded or combed cotton increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 1,653 million US dollars, up 4.2% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, import value decreased by 5.8%, with an average annual decline of 2.0%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 1,545 million US dollars, which experienced the largest drop of 11.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Brazil, and Greece stood out as the main markets for Turkey's imports in value terms. The United States accounted for 41.3% of import value, Brazil for 14.1%, and Greece for 12.8%, together making up 68.3% of total flows.

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

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