Cotton seed production in Zambia
In 2023 Zambia produced 34,000 t of cotton seed, the 35th largest in the world (0.08% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 63%. The record was 177,871 t in 2012.
The 2023 figure is from an external organisation.
- Production, 2023
- 34,000 t
- World rank
- 35 of 85
- 10-year change
- −63%
- Record
- 177,871 t
- 2012
Cotton seed in Zambia, 1961–2023 (tonnes)
Zambia compared with the world, 2023
- Share of world total
- 0.08%
- 0.20% in 2013
- 10-year change
- −63%
- world −8.8%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 33 | Kyrgyzstan | 41,892 | 0.10% |
| 34 | Bangladesh | 40,900 | 0.10% |
| 35 | Zambia | 34,000 | 0.08% |
| 36 | Central African Republic | 29,727 | 0.07% |
| 37 | Togo | 28,505 | 0.07% |
Map of world production of cotton seed
Share of the world total; Zambia is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 34,000 | +127% |
| 2022 | 15,000 | −29% |
| 2021 | 21,000 | 0.0% |
| 2020 | 21,000 | −22% |
| 2019 | 27,000 | −43% |
| 2018 | 47,000 | −19% |
| 2017 | 58,000 | −21% |
| 2016 | 73,000 | −2.7% |
| 2015 | 75,000 | −3.8% |
| 2014 | 78,000 | −15% |
| 2013 | 91,999 | −48% |
| 2012 | 177,871 | +105% |
| 2011 | 86,644 | +23% |
| 2010 | 70,599 | −22% |
| 2009 | 90,000 | +8.2% |
| 2008 | 83,150 | −10% |
| 2007 | 92,400 | +18% |
| 2006 | 78,500 | −16% |
| 2005 | 93,850 | +24% |
| 2004 | 75,900 | +17% |
| 2003 | 64,650 | +25% |
| 2002 | 51,900 | +14% |
| 2001 | 45,550 | +11% |
| 2000 | 41,000 | −53% |
| 1999 | 86,850 | +133% |
| 1998 | 37,200 | −7.7% |
| 1997 | 40,300 | +72% |
| 1996 | 23,400 | +121% |
| 1995 | 10,600 | −51% |
| 1994 | 21,650 | −30% |
| 1993 | 31,100 | +91% |
| 1992 | 16,300 | −47% |
| 1991 | 30,700 | +59% |
| 1990 | 19,300 | −42% |
| 1989 | 33,200 | −10% |
| 1988 | 36,900 | +191% |
| 1987 | 12,700 | −40% |
| 1986 | 21,000 | +10% |
| 1985 | 19,060 | −31% |
| 1984 | 27,661 | +112% |
| 1983 | 13,052 | +62% |
| 1982 | 8,055 | −26% |
| 1981 | 10,822 | +15% |
| 1980 | 9,450 | +0.6% |
| 1979 | 9,397 | +46% |
| 1978 | 6,426 | +28% |
| 1977 | 5,031 | +106% |
| 1976 | 2,446 | +48% |
| 1975 | 1,648 | +34% |
| 1974 | 1,233 | −58% |
| 1973 | 2,921 | −45% |
| 1972 | 5,343 | −28% |
| 1971 | 7,418 | +113% |
| 1970 | 3,485 | −22% |
| 1969 | 4,488 | +77% |
| 1968 | 2,540 | +127% |
| 1967 | 1,120 | −66% |
| 1966 | 3,338 | +152% |
| 1965 | 1,322 | +20% |
| 1964 | 1,098 | +168% |
| 1963 | 410 | — |
| 1962 | 0 | — |
| 1961 | 0 | — |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 494 t USD 117,000
- Exporter rank
- 26 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 Zambia?
Zambia produced 34,000 t in 2023, 0.08% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Zambia rank in the world for production of cotton seed?
Zambia ranked 35th 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 Zambia changed?
It fell by 63% between 2013 and 2023, compared with −8.8% for the world. The record was 177,871 t in 2012.
Does Zambia export or import cotton seed?
In 2024 Zambia reported exports of 494 t (USD 117,000) 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; the 2023 figure for Zambia 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.