Cotton lint production in Afghanistan
In 2023 Afghanistan produced 40,410 t of cotton lint, the 30th largest in the world (0.16% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 190%. The record was 53,300 t in 1975.
The 2023 figure is imputed by FAO.
- Production, 2023
- 40,410 t
- World rank
- 30 of 84
- 10-year change
- +190%
- Record
- 53,300 t
- 1975
Cotton lint in Afghanistan, 1961–2023 (tonnes)
Afghanistan compared with the world, 2023
- Share of world total
- 0.16%
- 0.06% in 2013
- 10-year change
- +190%
- world +0.2%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | Uganda | 41,905 | 0.17% |
| 29 | Spain | 40,500 | 0.16% |
| 30 | Afghanistan | 40,410 | 0.16% |
| 31 | Syria | 32,846 | 0.13% |
| 32 | Iran | 31,300 | 0.13% |
Map of world production of cotton lint
Share of the world total; Afghanistan is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 40,410 | +69% |
| 2022 | 23,950 | −6.8% |
| 2021 | 25,691 | +5.4% |
| 2020 | 24,385 | +0.9% |
| 2019 | 24,167 | +28% |
| 2018 | 18,942 | +55% |
| 2017 | 12,193 | −37% |
| 2016 | 19,377 | +16% |
| 2015 | 16,765 | +18% |
| 2014 | 14,152 | +1.7% |
| 2013 | 13,917 | +16% |
| 2012 | 11,979 | +10% |
| 2011 | 10,890 | 0.0% |
| 2010 | 10,890 | −23% |
| 2009 | 14,148 | +22% |
| 2008 | 11,550 | −0.1% |
| 2007 | 11,567 | +9.5% |
| 2006 | 10,560 | −3.0% |
| 2005 | 10,890 | +18% |
| 2004 | 9,240 | −15% |
| 2003 | 10,890 | −41% |
| 2002 | 18,500 | 0.0% |
| 2001 | 18,500 | 0.0% |
| 2000 | 18,500 | −16% |
| 1999 | 22,000 | 0.0% |
| 1998 | 22,000 | 0.0% |
| 1997 | 22,000 | 0.0% |
| 1996 | 22,000 | 0.0% |
| 1995 | 22,000 | 0.0% |
| 1994 | 22,000 | 0.0% |
| 1993 | 22,000 | 0.0% |
| 1992 | 22,000 | 0.0% |
| 1991 | 22,000 | +137% |
| 1990 | 9,300 | −21% |
| 1989 | 11,700 | −22% |
| 1988 | 15,000 | +15% |
| 1987 | 13,000 | −28% |
| 1986 | 18,000 | 0.0% |
| 1985 | 18,000 | −21% |
| 1984 | 22,700 | +36% |
| 1983 | 16,700 | +11% |
| 1982 | 15,000 | −25% |
| 1981 | 20,000 | −7.8% |
| 1980 | 21,700 | −38% |
| 1979 | 35,000 | −20% |
| 1978 | 44,000 | −3.3% |
| 1977 | 45,500 | −14% |
| 1976 | 53,000 | −0.6% |
| 1975 | 53,300 | +10% |
| 1974 | 48,300 | +34% |
| 1973 | 36,000 | +87% |
| 1972 | 19,300 | −8.1% |
| 1971 | 21,000 | −17% |
| 1970 | 25,300 | −12% |
| 1969 | 28,700 | +21% |
| 1968 | 23,700 | +2.6% |
| 1967 | 23,100 | +14% |
| 1966 | 20,300 | −19% |
| 1965 | 25,000 | −3.8% |
| 1964 | 26,000 | −29% |
| 1963 | 36,700 | +41% |
| 1962 | 26,000 | +53% |
| 1961 | 17,000 | — |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 111,111 t USD 202 m
- Exporter rank
- 12 of 105
FAOSTAT detailed trade data, release of 23 July 2026; quantities in tonnes, values in current US dollars; exports include re-exports. World exporters and importers
Questions and answers
What is the production of cotton lint in Afghanistan?
Afghanistan produced 40,410 t in 2023, 0.16% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Afghanistan rank in the world for production of cotton lint?
Afghanistan ranked 30th of 84 countries in 2023. The largest producer was China with 22.7% of the world total.
How has the production of cotton lint in Afghanistan changed?
It rose by 190% between 2013 and 2023, compared with +0.2% for the world. The record was 53,300 t in 1975.
Does Afghanistan export or import cotton lint, ginned?
In 2024 Afghanistan reported exports of 111,111 t (USD 202 m) and no imports, according to FAOSTAT trade data.
Where does this data come from?
From FAOSTAT, the statistics database of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; the 2023 figure for Afghanistan is imputed by FAO. Shares, ranks and per-person figures are calculated by Husfarm.
Other large producers
Source: FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 4 November 2026. fao.org/faostat. Licence: CC BY 4.0. Charts, rankings and changes calculated by Husfarm.