Cotton lint production in South Africa
In 2023 South Africa produced 16,045 t of cotton lint, the 39th largest in the world (0.06% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 208%. The record was 68,618 t in 1988.
The 2023 figure is imputed by FAO.
- Production, 2023
- 16,045 t
- World rank
- 39 of 84
- 10-year change
- +208%
- Record
- 68,618 t
- 1988
Cotton lint in South Africa, 1961–2023 (tonnes)
South Africa compared with the world, 2023
- Share of world total
- 0.06%
- 0.02% in 2013
- 10-year change
- +208%
- world +0.2%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 37 | Togo | 19,322 | 0.08% |
| 38 | Zambia | 18,400 | 0.07% |
| 39 | South Africa | 16,045 | 0.06% |
| 40 | Guinea | 15,959 | 0.06% |
| 41 | Israel | 14,040 | 0.06% |
Map of world production of cotton lint
Share of the world total; South Africa is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 16,045 | +15% |
| 2022 | 13,987 | −8.0% |
| 2021 | 15,202 | −43% |
| 2020 | 26,846 | +12% |
| 2019 | 24,000 | −17% |
| 2018 | 28,799 | +86% |
| 2017 | 15,520 | +54% |
| 2016 | 10,091 | −46% |
| 2015 | 18,784 | +115% |
| 2014 | 8,741 | +68% |
| 2013 | 5,205 | −57% |
| 2012 | 12,064 | −30% |
| 2011 | 17,149 | +123% |
| 2010 | 7,694 | −8.9% |
| 2009 | 8,450 | −14% |
| 2008 | 9,820 | −9.3% |
| 2007 | 10,830 | −25% |
| 2006 | 14,483 | −16% |
| 2005 | 17,150 | −39% |
| 2004 | 28,021 | +71% |
| 2003 | 16,348 | −10% |
| 2002 | 18,166 | −49% |
| 2001 | 35,903 | +32% |
| 2000 | 27,133 | −39% |
| 1999 | 44,341 | +22% |
| 1998 | 36,422 | +44% |
| 1997 | 25,348 | −36% |
| 1996 | 39,682 | +78% |
| 1995 | 22,288 | −6.0% |
| 1994 | 23,708 | +113% |
| 1993 | 11,122 | −40% |
| 1992 | 18,489 | −55% |
| 1991 | 40,641 | −22% |
| 1990 | 52,318 | −20% |
| 1989 | 65,731 | −4.2% |
| 1988 | 68,618 | +34% |
| 1987 | 51,293 | +26% |
| 1986 | 40,638 | +0.6% |
| 1985 | 40,388 | +36% |
| 1984 | 29,594 | +22% |
| 1983 | 24,294 | −26% |
| 1982 | 32,973 | −36% |
| 1981 | 51,279 | −13% |
| 1980 | 58,798 | +16% |
| 1979 | 50,626 | +10% |
| 1978 | 45,816 | +47% |
| 1977 | 31,179 | +136% |
| 1976 | 13,236 | −63% |
| 1975 | 36,199 | +3.2% |
| 1974 | 35,082 | +132% |
| 1973 | 15,141 | +16% |
| 1972 | 13,100 | −0.3% |
| 1971 | 13,133 | −13% |
| 1970 | 15,167 | −30% |
| 1969 | 21,681 | +54% |
| 1968 | 14,076 | +23% |
| 1967 | 11,467 | −23% |
| 1966 | 14,969 | −20% |
| 1965 | 18,824 | +66% |
| 1964 | 11,340 | −17% |
| 1963 | 13,608 | +85% |
| 1962 | 7,371 | +41% |
| 1961 | 5,216 | — |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 11,139 t USD 18.4 m
- Exporter rank
- 27 of 105
- Imports
- 463 t USD 920,000
- Importer rank
- 61 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 South Africa?
South Africa produced 16,045 t in 2023, 0.06% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does South Africa rank in the world for production of cotton lint?
South Africa ranked 39th 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 South Africa changed?
It rose by 208% between 2013 and 2023, compared with +0.2% for the world. The record was 68,618 t in 1988.
Does South Africa export or import cotton lint, ginned?
In 2024 South Africa reported exports of 11,139 t (USD 18.4 m) and imports of 463 t (USD 920,000), 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; the 2023 figure for South Africa 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.