Cotton seed production in Australia
In 2023 Australia produced 1.4 million t of cotton seed, the 7th largest in the world (3.52% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 0.3%. The record was 1.7 million t in 2012.
- Production, 2023
- 1.4 million t
- World rank
- 7 of 85
- 10-year change
- +0.3%
- Record
- 1.7 million t
- 2012
Cotton seed in Australia, 1961–2023 (tonnes)
Australia compared with the world, 2023
- Share of world total
- 3.5%
- 3.2% in 2013
- 10-year change
- +0.3%
- world −8.8%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Pakistan | 3,173,034 | 7.7% |
| 6 | Uzbekistan | 2,040,000 | 5.0% |
| 7 | Australia | 1,443,074 | 3.5% |
| 8 | Turkey | 1,260,000 | 3.1% |
| 9 | Burkina Faso | 448,000 | 1.1% |
Map of world production of cotton seed
Share of the world total; Australia is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1,443,074 | −4.2% |
| 2022 | 1,506,958 | +75% |
| 2021 | 859,962 | +432% |
| 2020 | 161,529 | −76% |
| 2019 | 685,901 | −54% |
| 2018 | 1,496,792 | +19% |
| 2017 | 1,260,000 | +42% |
| 2016 | 889,590 | +19% |
| 2015 | 746,000 | −40% |
| 2014 | 1,251,600 | −13% |
| 2013 | 1,439,000 | −17% |
| 2012 | 1,731,995 | +36% |
| 2011 | 1,269,382 | +131% |
| 2010 | 550,000 | +18% |
| 2009 | 465,500 | +148% |
| 2008 | 187,800 | −52% |
| 2007 | 387,800 | −54% |
| 2006 | 844,400 | −7.4% |
| 2005 | 912,300 | +85% |
| 2004 | 493,700 | −9.5% |
| 2003 | 545,800 | −48% |
| 2002 | 1,053,500 | −7.6% |
| 2001 | 1,140,000 | +9.0% |
| 2000 | 1,046,200 | +2.1% |
| 1999 | 1,024,400 | +8.8% |
| 1998 | 941,300 | +9.4% |
| 1997 | 860,100 | +45% |
| 1996 | 594,800 | +26% |
| 1995 | 473,600 | +1.7% |
| 1994 | 465,500 | −12% |
| 1993 | 527,500 | −30% |
| 1992 | 749,000 | +9.2% |
| 1991 | 686,000 | +39% |
| 1990 | 493,000 | +18% |
| 1989 | 419,300 | −3.6% |
| 1988 | 435,000 | +32% |
| 1987 | 330,000 | −14% |
| 1986 | 382,000 | −6.9% |
| 1985 | 410,400 | +116% |
| 1984 | 190,200 | +23% |
| 1983 | 154,400 | −30% |
| 1982 | 219,100 | +36% |
| 1981 | 161,400 | +19% |
| 1980 | 135,800 | +73% |
| 1979 | 78,500 | +8.9% |
| 1978 | 72,100 | +55% |
| 1977 | 46,600 | +15% |
| 1976 | 40,600 | −25% |
| 1975 | 53,800 | +8.0% |
| 1974 | 49,800 | −1.8% |
| 1973 | 50,700 | −27% |
| 1972 | 69,100 | +117% |
| 1971 | 31,900 | −34% |
| 1970 | 48,300 | −17% |
| 1969 | 58,500 | +2.1% |
| 1968 | 57,300 | +79% |
| 1967 | 32,100 | −9.3% |
| 1966 | 35,400 | +103% |
| 1965 | 17,400 | +295% |
| 1964 | 4,400 | +42% |
| 1963 | 3,100 | −18% |
| 1962 | 3,800 | −16% |
| 1961 | 4,500 | — |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 613,771 t USD 248 m
- Exporter rank
- 1 of 53
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 seed in Australia?
Australia produced 1.4 million t in 2023, 3.5% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Australia rank in the world for production of cotton seed?
Australia ranked 7th of 85 countries in 2023. The largest producer was India with 25.8% of the world total.
How has the production of cotton seed in Australia changed?
It rose by 0.3% between 2013 and 2023, compared with −8.8% for the world. The record was 1.7 million t in 2012.
Does Australia export or import cotton seed?
In 2024 Australia reported exports of 613,771 t (USD 248 m) and no imports, 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.