> 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%.

Source: https://husfarm.com/production/cotton-seed/south-africa/

[Home](https://husfarm.com/)›[Production](https://husfarm.com/production/)›[Cotton seed](https://husfarm.com/production/cotton-seed/)›South AfricaFAOSTAT · 1961–2023

# 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.

[Market prices in South Africa](https://husfarm.com/country/south-africa/)

Production, 202326,452 t
World rank38 of 85
10-year change+208%
Record119,591 t1988

## Cotton seed in South Africa, 1961–2023 (tonnes)

## South Africa compared with the world, 2023

Share of world total0.06%0.02% in 2013
10-year change+208%world −8.8%

### Position in the world ranking

| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 36 | [Central African Republic](https://husfarm.com/production/cotton-seed/central-african-republic/) | 29,727 | 0.07% |
| 37 | [Togo](https://husfarm.com/production/cotton-seed/togo/) | 28,505 | 0.07% |
| 38 | **South Africa** | 26,452 | 0.06% |
| 39 | [Mozambique](https://husfarm.com/production/cotton-seed/mozambique/) | 23,516 | 0.06% |
| 40 | [Guinea](https://husfarm.com/production/cotton-seed/guinea/) | 23,409 | 0.06% |

[Full ranking of 85 countries](https://husfarm.com/production/cotton-seed/)

### Map of world production of cotton seed

under 0.1%0.1–1%1–5%5–15%15% or moreno data
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

Exports15 t USD 19,000
Exporter rank46 of 53
Imports3,723 t USD 794,000
Importer rank22 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](https://husfarm.com/production/cotton-seed/)

## 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.

## Other large producers

[India](https://husfarm.com/production/cotton-seed/india/)[China](https://husfarm.com/production/cotton-seed/china/)[Brazil](https://husfarm.com/production/cotton-seed/brazil/)[United States](https://husfarm.com/production/cotton-seed/united-states/)[Pakistan](https://husfarm.com/production/cotton-seed/pakistan/)[Uzbekistan](https://husfarm.com/production/cotton-seed/uzbekistan/)[Australia](https://husfarm.com/production/cotton-seed/australia/)[Turkey](https://husfarm.com/production/cotton-seed/turkey/)[Burkina Faso](https://husfarm.com/production/cotton-seed/burkina-faso/)[Argentina](https://husfarm.com/production/cotton-seed/argentina/)[Turkmenistan](https://husfarm.com/production/cotton-seed/turkmenistan/)[Greece](https://husfarm.com/production/cotton-seed/greece/)
[All countries producing cotton seed](https://husfarm.com/production/cotton-seed/)

## Other products of South Africa

[Sugar cane](https://husfarm.com/production/sugar-cane/south-africa/)[Maize](https://husfarm.com/production/maize/south-africa/)[Cow milk](https://husfarm.com/production/cow-milk/south-africa/)[Beer](https://husfarm.com/production/beer/south-africa/)[Potatoes](https://husfarm.com/production/potatoes/south-africa/)[Raw sugar](https://husfarm.com/production/raw-sugar/south-africa/)[Wheat](https://husfarm.com/production/wheat/south-africa/)[Chicken meat](https://husfarm.com/production/chicken-meat/south-africa/)[Grapes](https://husfarm.com/production/grapes/south-africa/)[Soybeans](https://husfarm.com/production/soybeans/south-africa/)[Oranges](https://husfarm.com/production/oranges/south-africa/)[Apples](https://husfarm.com/production/apples/south-africa/)
[Agricultural production in South Africa](https://husfarm.com/production/country/south-africa/)

Source: FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 4 November 2026. [fao.org/faostat](https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL). Licence: [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Charts, rankings and changes calculated by Husfarm.

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