Cotton lint production in United States
In 2023 United States produced 2.6 million t of cotton lint, the 4th largest in the world (10.6% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 6.5%. The record was 5.2 million t in 2005.
- Production, 2023
- 2.6 million t
- World rank
- 4 of 84
- 10-year change
- −6.5%
- Record
- 5.2 million t
- 2005
Cotton lint in United States, 1961–2023 (tonnes)
United States compared with the world, 2023
- Share of world total
- 10.6%
- 11.4% in 2013
- 10-year change
- −6.5%
- world +0.2%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | India | 5,528,744 | 22.4% |
| 3 | Brazil | 2,923,677 | 11.8% |
| 4 | United States | 2,627,060 | 10.6% |
| 5 | Pakistan | 1,738,839 | 7.0% |
| 6 | Australia | 1,252,480 | 5.1% |
Map of world production of cotton lint
Share of the world total; United States is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2,627,060 | −17% |
| 2022 | 3,150,040 | −17% |
| 2021 | 3,815,180 | +20% |
| 2020 | 3,180,410 | −27% |
| 2019 | 4,335,440 | +8.3% |
| 2018 | 4,003,950 | −12% |
| 2017 | 4,555,340 | +22% |
| 2016 | 3,738,310 | +33% |
| 2015 | 2,806,030 | −21% |
| 2014 | 3,553,130 | +26% |
| 2013 | 2,810,650 | −25% |
| 2012 | 3,769,640 | +11% |
| 2011 | 3,390,660 | −14% |
| 2010 | 3,941,200 | +49% |
| 2009 | 2,653,520 | −4.9% |
| 2008 | 2,790,200 | −33% |
| 2007 | 4,181,810 | −7.0% |
| 2006 | 4,498,000 | −13% |
| 2005 | 5,198,970 | +2.7% |
| 2004 | 5,059,940 | +27% |
| 2003 | 3,974,600 | +6.1% |
| 2002 | 3,746,730 | −15% |
| 2001 | 4,420,459 | +18% |
| 2000 | 3,742,350 | +1.3% |
| 1999 | 3,694,000 | +22% |
| 1998 | 3,030,000 | −26% |
| 1997 | 4,091,700 | −0.8% |
| 1996 | 4,124,000 | +5.8% |
| 1995 | 3,897,000 | −9.0% |
| 1994 | 4,281,000 | +22% |
| 1993 | 3,512,000 | −0.5% |
| 1992 | 3,531,000 | −7.9% |
| 1991 | 3,835,000 | +14% |
| 1990 | 3,375,000 | +27% |
| 1989 | 2,655,000 | −21% |
| 1988 | 3,355,000 | +4.4% |
| 1987 | 3,214,000 | +52% |
| 1986 | 2,119,000 | −28% |
| 1985 | 2,924,000 | +3.4% |
| 1984 | 2,826,500 | +67% |
| 1983 | 1,692,000 | −35% |
| 1982 | 2,604,500 | −24% |
| 1981 | 3,406,432 | +41% |
| 1980 | 2,421,539 | −24% |
| 1979 | 3,185,138 | +35% |
| 1978 | 2,363,560 | −25% |
| 1977 | 3,132,863 | +36% |
| 1976 | 2,303,642 | +27% |
| 1975 | 1,807,451 | −28% |
| 1974 | 2,512,526 | −11% |
| 1973 | 2,824,741 | −5.3% |
| 1972 | 2,983,679 | +31% |
| 1971 | 2,281,096 | +2.8% |
| 1970 | 2,219,066 | +2.0% |
| 1969 | 2,175,055 | −8.6% |
| 1968 | 2,378,636 | +47% |
| 1967 | 1,620,514 | −22% |
| 1966 | 2,080,745 | −36% |
| 1965 | 3,255,194 | −1.3% |
| 1964 | 3,297,408 | −1.0% |
| 1963 | 3,329,873 | +3.1% |
| 1962 | 3,228,196 | +3.8% |
| 1961 | 3,109,754 | — |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 2.5 million t USD 5.01 bn
- Exporter rank
- 2 of 105
- Imports
- 747 t USD 2.3 m
- Importer rank
- 55 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 United States?
United States produced 2.6 million t in 2023, 10.6% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does United States rank in the world for production of cotton lint?
United States ranked 4th 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 United States changed?
It fell by 6.5% between 2013 and 2023, compared with +0.2% for the world. The record was 5.2 million t in 2005.
Does United States export or import cotton lint, ginned?
In 2024 United States reported exports of 2.5 million t (USD 5.01 bn) and imports of 747 t (USD 2.3 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.