Cottonseed oil production in South Africa
In 2023 South Africa produced 5,700 t of cottonseed oil, the 38th largest in the world (0.14% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 48%. The record was 19,795 t in 1998.
The 2023 figure is from an external organisation.
- Production, 2023
- 5,700 t
- World rank
- 38 of 79
- 10-year change
- −48%
- Record
- 19,795 t
- 1998
Cottonseed oil in South Africa, 1961–2023 (tonnes)
South Africa compared with the world, 2023
- Share of world total
- 0.14%
- 0.21% in 2013
- 10-year change
- −48%
- world −19%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | Iran | 6,400 | 0.15% |
| 37 | Bangladesh | 6,066 | 0.15% |
| 38 | South Africa | 5,700 | 0.14% |
| 39 | Mozambique | 5,000 | 0.12% |
| 40 | Syria | 4,900 | 0.12% |
Map of world production of cottonseed oil
Share of the world total; South Africa is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 5,700 | −8.1% |
| 2022 | 6,200 | −32% |
| 2021 | 9,100 | −38% |
| 2020 | 14,600 | −7.6% |
| 2019 | 15,800 | +65% |
| 2018 | 9,600 | +96% |
| 2017 | 4,900 | −32% |
| 2016 | 7,200 | −12% |
| 2015 | 8,200 | +22% |
| 2014 | 6,700 | −39% |
| 2013 | 10,900 | −16% |
| 2012 | 13,000 | +49% |
| 2011 | 8,700 | +2.4% |
| 2010 | 8,500 | −22% |
| 2009 | 10,900 | +14% |
| 2008 | 9,600 | −21% |
| 2007 | 12,100 | −25% |
| 2006 | 16,200 | −16% |
| 2005 | 19,400 | +24% |
| 2004 | 15,700 | +47% |
| 2003 | 10,700 | +13% |
| 2002 | 9,500 | −40% |
| 2001 | 15,800 | −11% |
| 2000 | 17,718 | −4.7% |
| 1999 | 18,598 | −6.0% |
| 1998 | 19,795 | +19% |
| 1997 | 16,620 | +21% |
| 1996 | 13,781 | +11% |
| 1995 | 12,462 | +3.4% |
| 1994 | 12,053 | +49% |
| 1993 | 8,069 | −6.3% |
| 1992 | 8,609 | −32% |
| 1991 | 12,592 | −14% |
| 1990 | 14,661 | −20% |
| 1989 | 18,441 | −3.5% |
| 1988 | 19,115 | +36% |
| 1987 | 14,104 | +27% |
| 1986 | 11,132 | −1.7% |
| 1985 | 11,326 | +27% |
| 1984 | 8,889 | +34% |
| 1983 | 6,639 | −27% |
| 1982 | 9,120 | −37% |
| 1981 | 14,374 | −13% |
| 1980 | 16,507 | +19% |
| 1979 | 13,921 | +12% |
| 1978 | 12,419 | +46% |
| 1977 | 8,515 | +143% |
| 1976 | 3,505 | −53% |
| 1975 | 7,431 | +20% |
| 1974 | 6,201 | +131% |
| 1973 | 2,683 | −13% |
| 1972 | 3,097 | +7.7% |
| 1971 | 2,876 | −13% |
| 1970 | 3,316 | −44% |
| 1969 | 5,956 | +57% |
| 1968 | 3,786 | +23% |
| 1967 | 3,067 | −26% |
| 1966 | 4,137 | −31% |
| 1965 | 6,013 | +67% |
| 1964 | 3,608 | −17% |
| 1963 | 4,328 | +86% |
| 1962 | 2,322 | +41% |
| 1961 | 1,652 | — |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 4,021 t USD 4.9 m
- Exporter rank
- 11 of 51
- Imports
- 1,955 t USD 536,000
- Importer rank
- 15 of 106
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 cottonseed oil in South Africa?
South Africa produced 5,700 t in 2023, 0.14% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does South Africa rank in the world for production of cottonseed oil?
South Africa ranked 38th of 79 countries in 2023. The largest producer was China with 31.4% of the world total.
How has the production of cottonseed oil in South Africa changed?
It fell by 48% between 2013 and 2023, compared with −19% for the world. The record was 19,795 t in 1998.
Does South Africa export or import cottonseed oil?
In 2024 South Africa reported exports of 4,021 t (USD 4.9 m) and imports of 1,955 t (USD 536,000), 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; the 2023 figure for South Africa is from an external organisation. 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.