Cotton lint production in Australia
In 2023 Australia produced 1.3 million t of cotton lint, the 6th largest in the world (5.07% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 40%. The record was 1.3 million t in 2022.
- Production, 2023
- 1.3 million t
- World rank
- 6 of 84
- 10-year change
- +40%
- Record
- 1.3 million t
- 2022
Cotton lint in Australia, 1961–2023 (tonnes)
Australia compared with the world, 2023
- Share of world total
- 5.1%
- 3.6% in 2013
- 10-year change
- +40%
- world +0.2%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | United States | 2,627,060 | 10.6% |
| 5 | Pakistan | 1,738,839 | 7.0% |
| 6 | Australia | 1,252,480 | 5.1% |
| 7 | Uzbekistan | 810,644 | 3.3% |
| 8 | Turkey | 777,000 | 3.1% |
Map of world production of cotton lint
Share of the world total; Australia is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1,252,480 | −1.7% |
| 2022 | 1,273,521 | +125% |
| 2021 | 566,067 | +393% |
| 2020 | 114,751 | −72% |
| 2019 | 414,336 | −56% |
| 2018 | 950,395 | +23% |
| 2017 | 774,488 | +41% |
| 2016 | 550,895 | +31% |
| 2015 | 421,564 | −52% |
| 2014 | 886,858 | −0.8% |
| 2013 | 893,601 | −8.2% |
| 2012 | 973,497 | +15% |
| 2011 | 843,572 | +140% |
| 2010 | 352,049 | +7.0% |
| 2009 | 329,000 | +148% |
| 2008 | 132,800 | −56% |
| 2007 | 301,400 | −50% |
| 2006 | 597,000 | −7.5% |
| 2005 | 645,100 | +85% |
| 2004 | 349,100 | −9.8% |
| 2003 | 387,100 | −45% |
| 2002 | 703,300 | −14% |
| 2001 | 819,000 | +11% |
| 2000 | 740,500 | +3.5% |
| 1999 | 715,600 | +7.5% |
| 1998 | 665,700 | +9.1% |
| 1997 | 610,100 | +45% |
| 1996 | 421,200 | +12% |
| 1995 | 375,000 | +2.0% |
| 1994 | 367,500 | −10% |
| 1993 | 409,300 | −26% |
| 1992 | 554,500 | +24% |
| 1991 | 447,000 | +46% |
| 1990 | 305,300 | +4.2% |
| 1989 | 293,000 | +8.9% |
| 1988 | 269,000 | +21% |
| 1987 | 221,600 | −17% |
| 1986 | 267,300 | +7.5% |
| 1985 | 248,700 | +76% |
| 1984 | 141,300 | +40% |
| 1983 | 100,800 | −25% |
| 1982 | 134,600 | +36% |
| 1981 | 98,900 | +19% |
| 1980 | 83,200 | +57% |
| 1979 | 53,100 | +20% |
| 1978 | 44,200 | +58% |
| 1977 | 28,000 | +12% |
| 1976 | 24,900 | −24% |
| 1975 | 32,900 | +16% |
| 1974 | 28,400 | 0.0% |
| 1973 | 28,400 | −29% |
| 1972 | 39,800 | +150% |
| 1971 | 15,900 | −36% |
| 1970 | 24,700 | −19% |
| 1969 | 30,400 | +4.8% |
| 1968 | 29,000 | +101% |
| 1967 | 14,400 | −18% |
| 1966 | 17,500 | +106% |
| 1965 | 8,500 | +240% |
| 1964 | 2,500 | +39% |
| 1963 | 1,800 | −18% |
| 1962 | 2,200 | −15% |
| 1961 | 2,600 | — |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 1.2 million t USD 2.42 bn
- Exporter rank
- 3 of 105
- Imports
- 2 t USD 52,000
- Importer rank
- 127 of 148
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 Australia?
Australia produced 1.3 million t in 2023, 5.1% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Australia rank in the world for production of cotton lint?
Australia ranked 6th 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 Australia changed?
It rose by 40% between 2013 and 2023, compared with +0.2% for the world. The record was 1.3 million t in 2022.
Does Australia export or import cotton lint, ginned?
In 2024 Australia reported exports of 1.2 million t (USD 2.42 bn) and imports of 2 t (USD 52,000), 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. 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.