Cotton lint production in Zambia
In 2023 Zambia produced 18,400 t of cotton lint, the 38th largest in the world (0.07% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 59%. The record was 86,240 t in 2012.
The 2023 figure is estimated by FAO.
- Production, 2023
- 18,400 t
- World rank
- 38 of 84
- 10-year change
- −59%
- Record
- 86,240 t
- 2012
Cotton lint in Zambia, 1961–2023 (tonnes)
Zambia compared with the world, 2023
- Share of world total
- 0.07%
- 0.18% in 2013
- 10-year change
- −59%
- world +0.2%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | Central African Republic | 19,986 | 0.08% |
| 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% |
Map of world production of cotton lint
Share of the world total; Zambia is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 18,400 | +145% |
| 2022 | 7,500 | −23% |
| 2021 | 9,798 | 0.0% |
| 2020 | 9,798 | −63% |
| 2019 | 26,695 | −11% |
| 2018 | 30,092 | +8.8% |
| 2017 | 27,665 | −1.7% |
| 2016 | 28,151 | +13% |
| 2015 | 25,000 | −34% |
| 2014 | 37,858 | −15% |
| 2013 | 44,650 | −48% |
| 2012 | 86,240 | +105% |
| 2011 | 42,000 | +23% |
| 2010 | 34,200 | −21% |
| 2009 | 43,500 | +7.9% |
| 2008 | 40,300 | −10% |
| 2007 | 44,800 | +16% |
| 2006 | 38,500 | −18% |
| 2005 | 46,850 | +23% |
| 2004 | 37,950 | +21% |
| 2003 | 31,350 | +22% |
| 2002 | 25,700 | +17% |
| 2001 | 22,000 | +10% |
| 2000 | 20,000 | −61% |
| 1999 | 51,150 | +141% |
| 1998 | 21,197 | −7.3% |
| 1997 | 22,871 | +72% |
| 1996 | 13,300 | +144% |
| 1995 | 5,450 | −51% |
| 1994 | 11,150 | −31% |
| 1993 | 16,150 | +74% |
| 1992 | 9,300 | −47% |
| 1991 | 17,500 | +59% |
| 1990 | 11,000 | −42% |
| 1989 | 18,900 | −10.0% |
| 1988 | 21,000 | +192% |
| 1987 | 7,200 | −40% |
| 1986 | 12,000 | +10% |
| 1985 | 10,891 | −31% |
| 1984 | 15,806 | +112% |
| 1983 | 7,458 | +62% |
| 1982 | 4,602 | −26% |
| 1981 | 6,183 | +15% |
| 1980 | 5,400 | +0.6% |
| 1979 | 5,370 | +46% |
| 1978 | 3,676 | +32% |
| 1977 | 2,788 | +112% |
| 1976 | 1,314 | +47% |
| 1975 | 895 | +6.9% |
| 1974 | 837 | −48% |
| 1973 | 1,614 | −45% |
| 1972 | 2,930 | −25% |
| 1971 | 3,929 | +109% |
| 1970 | 1,879 | −15% |
| 1969 | 2,219 | +53% |
| 1968 | 1,451 | +127% |
| 1967 | 640 | −66% |
| 1966 | 1,907 | +153% |
| 1965 | 755 | +38% |
| 1964 | 549 | +168% |
| 1963 | 205 | — |
| 1962 | 0 | — |
| 1961 | 0 | — |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 8,830 t USD 14.6 m
- Exporter rank
- 31 of 105
- Imports
- 23 t USD 83,000
- Importer rank
- 102 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 Zambia?
Zambia produced 18,400 t in 2023, 0.07% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Zambia rank in the world for production of cotton lint?
Zambia ranked 38th 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 Zambia changed?
It fell by 59% between 2013 and 2023, compared with +0.2% for the world. The record was 86,240 t in 2012.
Does Zambia export or import cotton lint, ginned?
In 2024 Zambia reported exports of 8,830 t (USD 14.6 m) and imports of 23 t (USD 83,000), 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 Zambia is estimated 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.