Cotton seed production in South Africa
In 2023 South Africa produced 26,452 t of cotton seed, the 38th largest in the world (0.06% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 208%. The record was 119,591 t in 1988.
- Production, 2023
- 26,452 t
- World rank
- 38 of 85
- 10-year change
- +208%
- Record
- 119,591 t
- 1988
Cotton seed in South Africa, 1961–2023 (tonnes)
South Africa compared with the world, 2023
- Share of world total
- 0.06%
- 0.02% in 2013
- 10-year change
- +208%
- world −8.8%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | Central African Republic | 29,727 | 0.07% |
| 37 | Togo | 28,505 | 0.07% |
| 38 | South Africa | 26,452 | 0.06% |
| 39 | Mozambique | 23,516 | 0.06% |
| 40 | Guinea | 23,409 | 0.06% |
Map of world production of cotton seed
Share of the world total; South Africa is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 26,452 | +4.7% |
| 2022 | 25,276 | +0.9% |
| 2021 | 25,062 | −43% |
| 2020 | 44,259 | −39% |
| 2019 | 72,557 | +3.7% |
| 2018 | 70,000 | +180% |
| 2017 | 25,000 | +52% |
| 2016 | 16,500 | −47% |
| 2015 | 30,968 | +115% |
| 2014 | 14,410 | +68% |
| 2013 | 8,582 | −57% |
| 2012 | 19,889 | −30% |
| 2011 | 28,273 | +123% |
| 2010 | 12,684 | −8.5% |
| 2009 | 13,856 | −14% |
| 2008 | 16,150 | −9.5% |
| 2007 | 17,854 | −25% |
| 2006 | 23,936 | −15% |
| 2005 | 28,273 | −39% |
| 2004 | 46,197 | +84% |
| 2003 | 25,087 | −13% |
| 2002 | 28,819 | −46% |
| 2001 | 53,598 | +30% |
| 2000 | 41,245 | −47% |
| 1999 | 77,739 | +22% |
| 1998 | 63,478 | +44% |
| 1997 | 44,178 | −36% |
| 1996 | 69,160 | +78% |
| 1995 | 38,845 | −6.0% |
| 1994 | 41,320 | +113% |
| 1993 | 19,384 | −40% |
| 1992 | 32,224 | −55% |
| 1991 | 70,831 | −22% |
| 1990 | 91,183 | −20% |
| 1989 | 114,560 | −4.2% |
| 1988 | 119,591 | +34% |
| 1987 | 89,396 | +26% |
| 1986 | 70,826 | +0.6% |
| 1985 | 70,391 | +36% |
| 1984 | 51,578 | +22% |
| 1983 | 42,341 | −26% |
| 1982 | 57,467 | −36% |
| 1981 | 89,372 | −13% |
| 1980 | 102,477 | +16% |
| 1979 | 88,234 | +10% |
| 1978 | 79,851 | +47% |
| 1977 | 54,341 | +136% |
| 1976 | 23,068 | −63% |
| 1975 | 63,088 | +3.2% |
| 1974 | 61,143 | +132% |
| 1973 | 26,389 | +16% |
| 1972 | 22,831 | −0.3% |
| 1971 | 22,889 | −13% |
| 1970 | 26,416 | −30% |
| 1969 | 37,787 | +54% |
| 1968 | 24,532 | +23% |
| 1967 | 19,985 | −33% |
| 1966 | 29,928 | −21% |
| 1965 | 37,648 | +66% |
| 1964 | 22,680 | −17% |
| 1963 | 27,216 | +85% |
| 1962 | 14,742 | +41% |
| 1961 | 10,432 | — |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 15 t USD 19,000
- Exporter rank
- 46 of 53
- Imports
- 3,723 t USD 794,000
- Importer rank
- 22 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 South Africa?
South Africa produced 26,452 t in 2023, 0.06% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does South Africa rank in the world for production of cotton seed?
South Africa ranked 38th 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 South Africa changed?
It rose by 208% between 2013 and 2023, compared with −8.8% for the world. The record was 119,591 t in 1988.
Does South Africa export or import cotton seed?
In 2024 South Africa reported exports of 15 t (USD 19,000) and imports of 3,723 t (USD 794,000), 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. 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.