Cotton seed production in China
In 2023 China produced 9.4 million t of cotton seed, the 2nd largest in the world (22.9% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 26%. The record was 15.2 million t in 2007.
The 2023 figure is from an external organisation.
- Production, 2023
- 9.4 million t
- World rank
- 2 of 85
- 10-year change
- −26%
- Record
- 15.2 million t
- 2007
Cotton seed in China, 1961–2023 (tonnes)
China compared with the world, 2023
- Share of world total
- 22.9%
- 28.1% in 2013
- 10-year change
- −26%
- world −8.8%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | India | 10,600,000 | 25.8% |
| 2 | China | 9,400,000 | 22.9% |
| 3 | Brazil | 4,494,600 | 11.0% |
| 4 | United States | 3,305,780 | 8.1% |
Map of world production of cotton seed
Share of the world total; China is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 9,400,000 | −6.0% |
| 2022 | 10,000,000 | +4.2% |
| 2021 | 9,600,000 | −2.5% |
| 2020 | 9,850,000 | +0.5% |
| 2019 | 9,800,000 | −3.0% |
| 2018 | 10,100,000 | +2.0% |
| 2017 | 9,900,000 | −7.4% |
| 2016 | 10,686,000 | −4.8% |
| 2015 | 11,220,000 | −8.9% |
| 2014 | 12,320,000 | −2.4% |
| 2013 | 12,620,000 | −7.7% |
| 2012 | 13,680,000 | +3.8% |
| 2011 | 13,177,918 | +10% |
| 2010 | 11,940,000 | −6.4% |
| 2009 | 12,754,000 | −15% |
| 2008 | 14,984,000 | −1.7% |
| 2007 | 15,248,000 | +13% |
| 2006 | 13,492,000 | +18% |
| 2005 | 11,400,000 | −9.9% |
| 2004 | 12,647,020 | +30% |
| 2003 | 9,719,418 | −1.1% |
| 2002 | 9,832,000 | −7.7% |
| 2001 | 10,647,000 | +21% |
| 2000 | 8,834,000 | +15% |
| 1999 | 7,658,000 | −15% |
| 1998 | 9,002,000 | −2.2% |
| 1997 | 9,206,000 | +9.5% |
| 1996 | 8,406,326 | −12% |
| 1995 | 9,536,000 | +9.8% |
| 1994 | 8,682,000 | +16% |
| 1993 | 7,478,000 | −17% |
| 1992 | 9,016,000 | −21% |
| 1991 | 11,350,000 | +26% |
| 1990 | 9,015,476 | +19% |
| 1989 | 7,576,000 | −8.7% |
| 1988 | 8,298,000 | −2.3% |
| 1987 | 8,490,000 | +20% |
| 1986 | 7,080,000 | −15% |
| 1985 | 8,294,000 | −34% |
| 1984 | 12,516,000 | +35% |
| 1983 | 9,274,000 | +29% |
| 1982 | 7,196,000 | +21% |
| 1981 | 5,936,000 | +9.6% |
| 1980 | 5,414,000 | +23% |
| 1979 | 4,414,000 | +1.8% |
| 1978 | 4,335,000 | +5.8% |
| 1977 | 4,099,000 | −0.3% |
| 1976 | 4,110,000 | −14% |
| 1975 | 4,762,000 | −3.3% |
| 1974 | 4,922,000 | −3.9% |
| 1973 | 5,124,000 | +31% |
| 1972 | 3,916,000 | −7.0% |
| 1971 | 4,210,000 | −7.6% |
| 1970 | 4,554,000 | +9.5% |
| 1969 | 4,158,000 | −12% |
| 1968 | 4,708,000 | 0.0% |
| 1967 | 4,708,000 | +0.7% |
| 1966 | 4,674,000 | +11% |
| 1965 | 4,196,000 | +26% |
| 1964 | 3,325,400 | +39% |
| 1963 | 2,400,000 | +60% |
| 1962 | 1,500,000 | −6.3% |
| 1961 | 1,600,000 | — |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 2,108 t USD 5.3 m
- Exporter rank
- 17 of 53
- Imports
- 574,385 t USD 216 m
- Importer rank
- 1 of 88
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 China?
China produced 9.4 million t in 2023, 22.9% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does China rank in the world for production of cotton seed?
China ranked 2nd 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 China changed?
It fell by 26% between 2013 and 2023, compared with −8.8% for the world. The record was 15.2 million t in 2007.
Does China export or import cotton seed?
In 2024 China reported exports of 2,108 t (USD 5.3 m) and imports of 574,385 t (USD 216 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 China is from an external organisation. Shares, ranks and per-person figures are calculated by Husfarm.
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.