Cotton seed production in United States
In 2023 United States produced 3.3 million t of cotton seed, the 4th largest in the world (8.06% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 13%. The record was 7.4 million t in 2004.
- Production, 2023
- 3.3 million t
- World rank
- 4 of 85
- 10-year change
- −13%
- Record
- 7.4 million t
- 2004
Cotton seed in United States, 1961–2023 (tonnes)
United States compared with the world, 2023
- Share of world total
- 8.1%
- 8.5% in 2013
- 10-year change
- −13%
- world −8.8%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | China | 9,400,000 | 22.9% |
| 3 | Brazil | 4,494,600 | 11.0% |
| 4 | United States | 3,305,780 | 8.1% |
| 5 | Pakistan | 3,173,034 | 7.7% |
| 6 | Uzbekistan | 2,040,000 | 5.0% |
Map of world production of cotton seed
Share of the world total; United States is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 3,305,780 | −17% |
| 2022 | 4,005,220 | −17% |
| 2021 | 4,828,940 | +20% |
| 2020 | 4,023,360 | −25% |
| 2019 | 5,393,210 | +5.6% |
| 2018 | 5,108,360 | −12% |
| 2017 | 5,825,940 | +20% |
| 2016 | 4,870,670 | +33% |
| 2015 | 3,667,750 | −21% |
| 2014 | 4,649,320 | +22% |
| 2013 | 3,812,900 | −26% |
| 2012 | 5,140,110 | +5.5% |
| 2011 | 4,871,580 | −12% |
| 2010 | 5,532,100 | +47% |
| 2009 | 3,763,730 | −3.5% |
| 2008 | 3,901,170 | −35% |
| 2007 | 5,970,000 | −14% |
| 2006 | 6,923,630 | −6.6% |
| 2005 | 7,413,600 | −0.3% |
| 2004 | 7,437,000 | +23% |
| 2003 | 6,046,020 | +7.8% |
| 2002 | 5,609,940 | −17% |
| 2001 | 6,760,520 | +16% |
| 2000 | 5,838,280 | +1.3% |
| 1999 | 5,764,000 | +18% |
| 1998 | 4,867,000 | −23% |
| 1997 | 6,291,000 | −2.9% |
| 1996 | 6,480,000 | +4.3% |
| 1995 | 6,213,000 | −9.9% |
| 1994 | 6,898,000 | +20% |
| 1993 | 5,754,000 | +1.8% |
| 1992 | 5,652,000 | −10% |
| 1991 | 6,283,000 | +16% |
| 1990 | 5,414,500 | +28% |
| 1989 | 4,243,000 | −23% |
| 1988 | 5,499,000 | +5.1% |
| 1987 | 5,233,700 | +52% |
| 1986 | 3,448,000 | −28% |
| 1985 | 4,789,000 | +2.5% |
| 1984 | 4,671,000 | +67% |
| 1983 | 2,790,500 | −35% |
| 1982 | 4,303,680 | −26% |
| 1981 | 5,803,260 | +43% |
| 1980 | 4,056,020 | −23% |
| 1979 | 5,241,958 | +35% |
| 1978 | 3,872,933 | −23% |
| 1977 | 5,008,904 | +34% |
| 1976 | 3,739,412 | +28% |
| 1975 | 2,919,305 | −29% |
| 1974 | 4,091,291 | −10% |
| 1973 | 4,550,415 | −7.0% |
| 1972 | 4,892,443 | +27% |
| 1971 | 3,846,460 | +4.2% |
| 1970 | 3,690,425 | +0.0% |
| 1969 | 3,690,243 | −12% |
| 1968 | 4,209,000 | +45% |
| 1967 | 2,912,000 | −19% |
| 1966 | 3,592,000 | −35% |
| 1965 | 5,522,000 | −2.4% |
| 1964 | 5,658,000 | +0.7% |
| 1963 | 5,617,000 | +0.9% |
| 1962 | 5,569,000 | +2.7% |
| 1961 | 5,423,000 | — |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 251,754 t USD 94.9 m
- Exporter rank
- 2 of 53
- Imports
- 43,184 t USD 23.2 m
- Importer rank
- 9 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 United States?
United States produced 3.3 million t in 2023, 8.1% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does United States rank in the world for production of cotton seed?
United States ranked 4th 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 United States changed?
It fell by 13% between 2013 and 2023, compared with −8.8% for the world. The record was 7.4 million t in 2004.
Does United States export or import cotton seed?
In 2024 United States reported exports of 251,754 t (USD 94.9 m) and imports of 43,184 t (USD 23.2 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. 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.