Cotton lint production in India
In 2023 India produced 5.5 million t of cotton lint, the 2nd largest in the world (22.4% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 8.6%. The record was 6.1 million t in 2020.
- Production, 2023
- 5.5 million t
- World rank
- 2 of 84
- 10-year change
- −8.6%
- Record
- 6.1 million t
- 2020
Cotton lint in India, 1961–2023 (tonnes)
India compared with the world, 2023
- Share of world total
- 22.4%
- 24.5% in 2013
- 10-year change
- −8.6%
- world +0.2%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 5,617,900 | 22.7% |
| 2 | India | 5,528,744 | 22.4% |
| 3 | Brazil | 2,923,677 | 11.8% |
| 4 | United States | 2,627,060 | 10.6% |
Map of world production of cotton lint
Share of the world total; India is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 5,528,744 | −3.4% |
| 2022 | 5,722,232 | −4.5% |
| 2021 | 5,992,160 | −2.3% |
| 2020 | 6,131,050 | +29% |
| 2019 | 4,767,140 | −15% |
| 2018 | 5,576,850 | +0.7% |
| 2017 | 5,538,090 | −0.1% |
| 2016 | 5,542,000 | +8.6% |
| 2015 | 5,100,850 | −14% |
| 2014 | 5,916,850 | −2.2% |
| 2013 | 6,052,000 | +4.0% |
| 2012 | 5,817,400 | −2.8% |
| 2011 | 5,984,000 | +5.3% |
| 2010 | 5,683,000 | +39% |
| 2009 | 4,083,400 | +7.8% |
| 2008 | 3,787,000 | −14% |
| 2007 | 4,400,000 | +14% |
| 2006 | 3,847,000 | +22% |
| 2005 | 3,145,000 | +13% |
| 2004 | 2,792,800 | +20% |
| 2003 | 2,334,000 | +59% |
| 2002 | 1,466,080 | −14% |
| 2001 | 1,699,490 | +3.6% |
| 2000 | 1,640,900 | −16% |
| 1999 | 1,960,000 | −6.2% |
| 1998 | 2,088,800 | +13% |
| 1997 | 1,844,670 | −24% |
| 1996 | 2,419,270 | +11% |
| 1995 | 2,186,370 | +8.2% |
| 1994 | 2,020,960 | +11% |
| 1993 | 1,825,970 | −5.8% |
| 1992 | 1,938,510 | +17% |
| 1991 | 1,651,400 | −1.3% |
| 1990 | 1,673,000 | −14% |
| 1989 | 1,941,500 | +31% |
| 1988 | 1,486,400 | +37% |
| 1987 | 1,084,900 | −7.6% |
| 1986 | 1,173,900 | −21% |
| 1985 | 1,483,600 | +2.6% |
| 1984 | 1,446,100 | +33% |
| 1983 | 1,085,700 | −15% |
| 1982 | 1,280,100 | −4.4% |
| 1981 | 1,339,600 | +3.7% |
| 1980 | 1,292,000 | −1.3% |
| 1979 | 1,309,000 | −3.3% |
| 1978 | 1,353,000 | +9.8% |
| 1977 | 1,232,000 | +15% |
| 1976 | 1,073,000 | −7.5% |
| 1975 | 1,160,000 | −10% |
| 1974 | 1,290,000 | +7.6% |
| 1973 | 1,199,000 | +3.0% |
| 1972 | 1,164,000 | −7.5% |
| 1971 | 1,258,000 | +32% |
| 1970 | 954,000 | −9.3% |
| 1969 | 1,052,000 | −0.9% |
| 1968 | 1,062,000 | −7.6% |
| 1967 | 1,149,000 | +15% |
| 1966 | 997,000 | 0.0% |
| 1965 | 997,000 | −6.6% |
| 1964 | 1,067,000 | −6.2% |
| 1963 | 1,138,000 | +6.1% |
| 1962 | 1,073,000 | +21% |
| 1961 | 884,000 | — |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 465,001 t USD 904 m
- Exporter rank
- 4 of 105
- Imports
- 451,426 t USD 989 m
- Importer rank
- 5 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 India?
India produced 5.5 million t in 2023, 22.4% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does India rank in the world for production of cotton lint?
India ranked 2nd 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 India changed?
It fell by 8.6% between 2013 and 2023, compared with +0.2% for the world. The record was 6.1 million t in 2020.
Does India export or import cotton lint, ginned?
In 2024 India reported exports of 465,001 t (USD 904 m) and imports of 451,426 t (USD 989 m), 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.