Cotton lint production in Zimbabwe
In 2023 Zimbabwe produced 21,837 t of cotton lint, the 33rd largest in the world (0.09% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 72%. The record was 128,000 t in 2001.
The 2023 figure is imputed by FAO.
- Production, 2023
- 21,837 t
- World rank
- 33 of 84
- 10-year change
- −72%
- Record
- 128,000 t
- 2001
Cotton lint in Zimbabwe, 1961–2023 (tonnes)
Zimbabwe compared with the world, 2023
- Share of world total
- 0.09%
- 0.31% in 2013
- 10-year change
- −72%
- world +0.2%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | Syria | 32,846 | 0.13% |
| 32 | Iran | 31,300 | 0.13% |
| 33 | Zimbabwe | 21,837 | 0.09% |
| 34 | Bangladesh | 21,100 | 0.09% |
| 35 | Kyrgyzstan | 20,946 | 0.08% |
Map of world production of cotton lint
Share of the world total; Zimbabwe is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 21,837 | −37% |
| 2022 | 34,545 | −45% |
| 2021 | 63,000 | +34% |
| 2020 | 47,100 | +52% |
| 2019 | 31,000 | −42% |
| 2018 | 53,400 | +45% |
| 2017 | 36,900 | +122% |
| 2016 | 16,600 | −23% |
| 2015 | 21,600 | −43% |
| 2014 | 37,700 | −51% |
| 2013 | 76,900 | −5.4% |
| 2012 | 81,300 | +12% |
| 2011 | 72,900 | +3.8% |
| 2010 | 70,200 | −12% |
| 2009 | 80,000 | −31% |
| 2008 | 116,000 | +45% |
| 2007 | 80,000 | +11% |
| 2006 | 72,000 | −4.0% |
| 2005 | 75,000 | −25% |
| 2004 | 100,000 | +18% |
| 2003 | 85,000 | +16% |
| 2002 | 73,000 | −43% |
| 2001 | 128,000 | +0.4% |
| 2000 | 127,530 | +23% |
| 1999 | 103,853 | +9.3% |
| 1998 | 95,000 | −5.9% |
| 1997 | 101,000 | +16% |
| 1996 | 87,200 | +138% |
| 1995 | 36,600 | −39% |
| 1994 | 60,000 | −11% |
| 1993 | 67,158 | +217% |
| 1992 | 21,200 | −70% |
| 1991 | 71,567 | +7.0% |
| 1990 | 66,903 | −28% |
| 1989 | 92,500 | −20% |
| 1988 | 116,000 | +33% |
| 1987 | 87,000 | −2.2% |
| 1986 | 89,000 | −14% |
| 1985 | 103,000 | +13% |
| 1984 | 91,000 | +83% |
| 1983 | 49,817 | +8.6% |
| 1982 | 45,862 | −21% |
| 1981 | 58,002 | +8.3% |
| 1980 | 53,561 | +8.5% |
| 1979 | 49,374 | −13% |
| 1978 | 56,474 | +15% |
| 1977 | 48,942 | +1.3% |
| 1976 | 48,319 | −16% |
| 1975 | 57,838 | −10% |
| 1974 | 64,622 | +47% |
| 1973 | 44,015 | −22% |
| 1972 | 56,217 | +19% |
| 1971 | 47,375 | +41% |
| 1970 | 33,600 | −38% |
| 1969 | 54,500 | +177% |
| 1968 | 19,645 | +27% |
| 1967 | 15,500 | +71% |
| 1966 | 9,050 | +61% |
| 1965 | 5,625 | +150% |
| 1964 | 2,252 | +87% |
| 1963 | 1,207 | +522% |
| 1962 | 194 | −57% |
| 1961 | 451 | — |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 10,370 t USD 15.6 m
- Exporter rank
- 28 of 105
- Imports
- 1,378 t USD 2.0 m
- Importer rank
- 47 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 Zimbabwe?
Zimbabwe produced 21,837 t in 2023, 0.09% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Zimbabwe rank in the world for production of cotton lint?
Zimbabwe ranked 33rd 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 Zimbabwe changed?
It fell by 72% between 2013 and 2023, compared with +0.2% for the world. The record was 128,000 t in 2001.
Does Zimbabwe export or import cotton lint, ginned?
In 2024 Zimbabwe reported exports of 10,370 t (USD 15.6 m) and imports of 1,378 t (USD 2.0 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; the 2023 figure for Zimbabwe 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.