WT/GC/238/Rev.1  
WT/CFMC/DG/9/Rev.1  
WT/MIN(21)/5/Rev.1  
 
2 June 2022 
(22-4226) Page: 1/14 
    
 
DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE ASPECTS OF COTTON  
NINTH PERIODIC REPORT BY THE DIRECTOR GENERAL1 
Revision  
1   INTRODUCTION  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  2 
2   CONTEXT  ................................ ................................ ................................ .....................  2 
3   IMPLEMENTATION  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 3 
4   EVOLUTION OF COTTON DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE  ................................ .................  5 
5   SOUTH – SOUTH COOPERATION ON COTTON  ................................ ..............................  6 
6   DOMESTIC COTTON SECTOR REFORMS  ................................ ................................ ........  6 
7   COTTON BY -PRODUCTS  ................................ ................................ ...............................  6 
8   WORLD COTTON DAY  ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 7 
9   STUDY ON COTTON AND COVID -19 ................................ ................................ .............  8 
10   CONCLUSION ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  9 
ANNEX  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  10 
A. COTTON TRADE  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............. 10 
B. COTTON AREA  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............... 11 
C. COTTON PROD UCTION ................................ ................................ ................................ ....11 
D. COTTON CONSUMPTION  ................................ ................................ ................................ .13 
E. COTTON YIELDS  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............. 13 
F. INTERNATIONAL COTTON PRICES - Yearly averages from 2016/2017 to 2020/2021  ............... 14 
 
 
1 This document has been prepared under the Secretariat's own responsibility and is without prejudice 
to the positions of Members or to their rights and obligations under the WTO . WT/GC/238/Rev.1 • WT/CFMC/DG/9/Rev.1 • WT/MIN(21)/5/Rev.1  
 
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  1  INTRODUCTION  
1.  This revision to the Ninth  Periodic Report2 to the Membership on the development  assistance 
aspects of cotton incorporates  the developments  that took place since November 2021 following  the 
postponement of 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12).3 One round of the Director -General's 
Consultative Framework Mechanism on Cotton (DGCFMC) , the 3 7th meeting , was held 
on 11 May 2022. 
2.  During th is period, one revision ha s been made to the Evolving Table on Cotton Development 
Assistance  (ET), a unique tool to monitor trends and trace the evolution of development -assistance 
projects supporting the cotton sector in beneficiary developing countr y Members . The la test update 
is the 33rd version4, circulated  on 2 May 2022. 
3.  I would like particularly to commend all the Members who have provided updates for the previous 
revisions of the ET , namely : Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, the European Union, France, 
Germany, India, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Switzerland, Turkey, and 
the United  States.  
4.  I would also like to highlight the importan t roles played by multilateral and regional organizations  
who have actively participat ed in this process, including: the United Nations Food an d Agriculture 
Organization  (FAO), the International Cotton Advisory Committee  (ICAC), the International Trade 
Centre  (ITC), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development  (UNCTAD) , the United 
Nations Industrial Development Organization  (UNIDO), the Common Fund for Commodities  (CFC), 
the Enhanced Integrated Framework  (EIF), the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific 
States  (OACPS)  and the World Bank.  
2  CONTEXT5 
5.  World cotton production, consumption,  and trade registered changes from the 2020/21 to 
the 2021/2022 seasons in terms of overall production volumes, productivity, consumption , 
international trade,  and average international prices.  
6.  Global cotton production increase d from 24.33 million tonnes in the 2020/21 season  to 
26.43  million t onnes in the 2021/2022 season . Global area of planted cotton increased by nearly 6% 
from 31.5  million hectares in 2020/ 2021 to 33.4 million hectares in 2021/ 2022. 
7.  Global consumption also showed an increase when compared to the previous season s from 
22.69 million tonnes  in the 2019/20 20 season  to 26.16 million tonnes in the 2021/2022 season . 
8.  Cotton production in West Africa remains predominant ly a smallholder cash crop . Cotton planted  
area increased from 2.4 million hectares  in 2020/2021 to 3.5 million hect ares in 2021/2022 , with a 
1.36 million tonnes of cotton produced . Exports from West African countries reached 
1.2 million  tonnes  in 2020/ 2022. 
9.  The top five e xporters in  the 2021/2022 season are the United States, Brazil, West Africa, India, 
and Australia.  
10.  According to experts and international cotton traders, g lobal cotton imports  decreased  in 
the 2021/2022 season due mainly to logistics issues , supply chain disruptions , and delay s in the 
resumption of normal economic activities after  the COVID -19 pandemic.6 
11.  The following  countries remained  the biggest importers of cotton  in the 2021/2022 season : 
China, Viet Nam, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Turkey,  and Indonesia.  
 
2 Document WT/GC/ 238 - WT/CFMC/DG/ 9 - WT/MIN( 21)/5, dated 14 November 20 21. 
3 The 12th Ministerial Conference was originally scheduled from 30 November to 3  December 20 21. 
4 Document WT/CFMC/6/Rev. 32 dated 2 May 2022. 
5 Data source:  the figures and trends are based on  International Cotton Advisory Committee  (ICAC) 's 
data and projections . 
6 More information available at: 
https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/agric_e/info_session_cotton_ldc11522_e.htm   WT/GC/238/Rev.1 • WT/CFMC/DG/9/Rev.1 • WT/MIN(21)/5/Rev.1  
 
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  12.  International cotton prices increased in 2020/21. The Cotlook A -Index  averaged about 
USD 0.83 cents per pound , with a  high of USD 1.20 cents per pound . 
3  IMPLEMENTATION  
13.  The mandate7 for our work on the development assistance aspects of cotton was agreed 
in 2004, and reaffirmed with further specifications at three WTO Ministerial Conferences: 
Hong Kong 8 (2005) , Bali9 (2013)  and Nairobi10 (2015) . 
14.  Accordingly, the development assistance aspects of cotton are advanced through the work of 
the DGCFMC, which meets twice a year and reviews support being provided by bilateral donors and 
multilateral agencies to cotton -specific and cotton -related agricultural sectors in developing 
countries.  
15.  At the DGCFMC, discussions are held on the basis of the Director -General's Evolving Table on 
Cotton Development Assistance (also called the "Evolving Table" - ET) and the Table on Domestic 
Cotton Sector Reforms. These documents are unique commodity -specific tools for imp lementing the 
mandate on cotton development assistance and ensuring transparent monitoring.  
16.  The ET lists development cooperation projects in cotton and cotton -related agricultural sectors. 
The first version of the Table was published in 2005. It provides i nformation on donors, project titles 
and beneficiaries, as well as detailed figures on project -specific commitments  and disbursements . 
The latest version of the ET can be found in document WT/CFMC/6/Rev.3 2, dated 2  May 2022. 
17.  An important development in the ET occurred in 20 21 with the introduction of Part IV . This new 
part compil es cotton -related development assistance requests submitted by beneficiary developing 
country Members. The table in Part IV is divided into six fields : Project Request ID; Title of the 
project submitted; Estimated value; Reported status (IP  – implementation in progress , open, 
partially concluded, concluded or removed); Hyperlinks to the Project details; and the Beneficiary 
Members. This compilation serves to give visibility to developing countr ies needs on cotton -related 
projects  and to keep  track of demands submitted to the DGCFMC . Currently, eleven  projects in total 
have been present ed by Benin  (4), Burundi  (1), Burkina Faso  (2), Cameroon  (1), Mali  (2), and one 
regional project from the C -4, the "Cotton Road Map Project".  
 
 
7 General Council Decision of 1 August 2004 (Document WT/L/579).  
8 Hong Kong Ministerial Declaration (Document WT/MIN(05)/DEC).  
9 Bali Ministerial Decision (Document WT/MIN(13)/41).  
10 Nairobi Ministerial Decision (Document WT/MIN(15)/46).   
  WT/GC/238/Rev.1 • WT/CFMC/DG/9/Rev.1 • WT/MIN(21)/5/Rev.1  
 
- 4 - Table 1 – Project Requests by Beneficiary Developing Countries Members  
WTO DIRECTOR -GENERAL'S EVOLVING TABLE ON COTTON DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE  
PART IV –COTTON -RELATED DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE REQUESTS SUBMITTED BY BENEFICIARY MEMBERSa 
Project Request ID Title of the Project  Estimated Value  Reported Statusb Project Detailsc Beneficiary 
Countries  
MEMBERS' PROJECT REQUESTS      
BDI001  Projet d'intensification de la culture du coton par 
l'appui des producteurs du Burundi  USD 17,564,000  Open WT/CFMC/W/94  Burundi  
BEN001  Projet de renforcement de la filière cotonnière à l'aide 
des meilleures pratiques de classement de la fibre de 
coton sur le marché international   USD 4,381,532  IP WT/CFMC/W/68  
 Benin  
BEN002  Projet pour la prévention  de la contamination du coton 
graine au Bénin  N.A. Open WT/CFMC/W/69  
 Benin  
BEN003  Projet d'appui à la gestion durable du capital sol au 
Benin  FCFA 26,785,000  Open Presentation  Benin  
BEN004  Projet d'amélioration de la protection phytosanitaire du 
cotonnier (projet protection cotonnier)  EUR 5,000,000  Open Presentation  Benin  
BFA001  Programme de renforcement de la recherche 
cotonnière pour une relance durable de la filière  EUR 14,194,000  Open WT/CFMC/W/91 -01 
WT/CFMC/W/91 -02 Burkina Faso 
BFA002  Projet d'accroissement des infrastructures de soutien à 
la production cotonnière du Burkina Faso  EUR 22,831,527  Open WT/CFMC/W/92 -01 
WT/CFMC/W/92 -02 Burkina Faso 
CMR001  Projet pour un laboratoire de classement instrumental 
de la fibre de coton au Cameroun  EUR 1,433,784  Open Presentation  Cameroun  
MLI001  Projet de bonification des terres agricoles en zone 
cotonnière  USD 46,326,606  Open Presentation  Mali 
MLI002  Projet pour l'introduction de nouvelles variétés de 
coton en zone cotonnière des pays C4 – Cas du Mali  USD 1,217,922  Open  Presentation  Mali 
REGIONAL PROJECT REQUESTS (REG)      
REG001  Projet "Route du Coton" : filière coton / textile et 
produits dérivés  pour une chaîne de valeur 
compétitive, inclusive et durable  USD 20,000,000  Open WT/CFMC/W/72  
WT/CFMC/W/73  
 Benin, Burkina 
Faso, Chad, Mali  
a Table elaborated pursuant to paragraph 10 of the Bali Ministerial Decision on cotton where Ministers invited " LDCs to continue identifying their needs linked to cotton or 
related sectors, including on a regional basis" and paragraph 11 of t he Nairobi Ministerial Decision on cotton underlining the "importance of effective assistance to support 
the cotton sector in developing country Members, especially the LDCs amongst them […] to help formulate, on the basis of prio rities identified by LDC c otton producers, 
multidimensional and integrated programmes and projects at the regional and sub -regional level, to be submitted to development partners." Cotton -related development 
assistance requests include project demands for the entire cotton value chain, comprising, for instance: cotton production; c otton seeds quality; cotton -related good 
agriculture practices; cotton laboratories and inspection servi ces on grading, testing and classification; cotton harvesting methods, ginning, processing, transportation and 
related logistics; cotton transformation industries; cotton textiles industries; cotton by -products industries; cotton research, development and innovation institutes; cotton -
related agriculture extension services and training courses; cotton marketing and promotion initiatives; machinery and techno logy transfer.  
b Reported status: Open – waiting for technical assistance and/or financial funding f or its implementation; Implementation in Progress (IP) – started projects; Concluded  (C) 
– fully completed projects; Partially Concluded (PC); or Removed (R).  
c Hyperlinks to access the full project request content as elaborated and submitted by the beneficiary Member. The projects requests are hosted and made  publicly available 
on the WTO cotton webpage or contained in communications circulated by Members in the DGCFMC.  
 WT/GC/238/Rev.1 • WT/CFMC/DG/9/Rev.1 • WT/MIN(21)/5/Rev.1  
 
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  18.  Finally, it should be noted that Members highly appreciate the very informative presentations 
made by partner organizations, including the International Cotton Advisory Committee  (ICAC)  at 
DGCFMC meetings . ICAC regular presents the latest trends in world cotton production and trade and 
other key data of specific interest for the development of the cot ton sector in developing and least 
developed countries (LDCs). ICAC collaborates closely with the WTO  Secretariat on technical and 
statistical matters , suggests practical ways to facilitate cotton trade , and shares information about  
new technologies and good agricultural practices .  
4  EVOLUTION OF COTTON DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE  
19.  Chart 1 below shows the total amount of commit ted value in United States Dollars (USD) over 
the past thirteen versions of the ET, for both Part I  on "Cotton Spec ific Development Assistance" and 
Part II on "Agriculture and Infrastructure -Related Development Assistance".  
Chart 1 – Total commitment value of active projects  in the Evolving Table  in USD  
 
 
 
20.  In the ET  revision  (issued in May 2022), the total committed amount for cotton -specific 
programmes totalled  USD 199 million . During the same period, the total committed amount for 
agriculture and infrastructure -related development assistance  amounted to approximately 
USD 2.121 billion . 
21.  The tota l number of active projects under Part I of the  ET on "Cotton Specific Development 
Assistance"  currently stands at 2 6. Under Part II, on "Agriculture and Infrastructure -Related 
Development Assistance ", 42 projects ha ve been reported as ongoing . 
22.  Table 2 shows trends in  the ratio of disbursements to commitments over the latest five revisions 
of the ET.   
050,000,000100,000,000150,000,000200,000,000250,000,000300,000,000350,000,000
0500,000,0001,000,000,0001,500,000,0002,000,000,0002,500,000,0003,000,000,0003,500,000,0004,000,000,0004,500,000,000Cotton -specific 
programmes (USD)Agriculture and 
infrastructure 
programmes (USD)ET -ACTIVE PROGRAMMES
Agriculture and infrastructure related programmes Cotton-specific programmesWT/GC/238/Rev.1 • WT/CFMC/DG/9/Rev.1 • WT/MIN(21)/5/Rev.1  
 
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  Table 2 – Ratio of total disbursements to total commitments  from the ET Rev.27 -32 
Comparison Table - Ratio Commitment/Disbursement  
ET Rev.27  Rev.28  Rev.29  Rev.30  Rev.31  Rev.32  
Part I - Active  38% 29% 28% 32% 33% 34% 
Part II - Active  32% 27% 27% 28% 28% 28% 
Part I - Completed  77% 79% 79% 80% 80% 80% 
Part II - Completed  97% 84% 84% 84% 84% 84% 
 
 
23.  The latest version of the ET (dated 2 May 2022) presents figures which show that the ratio of 
disbursements to commitments  can be improved for both Part I and Part II projects . I would 
encourage both providers of assistance a nd beneficiaries to consider how this can best be achieved 
so as to deliver suc cessful outcome s under cotton development assistance programmes . 
5  SOUTH – SOUTH COOPERATION ON COTTON  
24.  Brazil, China, India , Pakistan , and Turkey  have continued to provide significant support to LDCs 
in cotton and cotton -related sectors. The contribution of these Members is particularly remarkable 
as a form of cooperation based on solidarity , and on these Members' shared goal s of improving 
productivity, inclusiveness, and sustainability in the cotton sector. The platform for South -South 
Cooper ation in the cotton sector is a solid example of a consolidated partnership between 
WTO Members, and with other active partner s. 
6  DOMESTIC COTTON SECTOR REFORMS  
25.  The 20th version of the Table on Domestic Cotton Sector Reforms ( WT/CFMC/21/Rev.1 9), 
circulated on 2 May 2022, reflects the latest updates  received from beneficiary Members to date . 
The Table is prepared based on a decision made by participants of the DGCFMC  and it is a standing 
item on the agenda of the DGCFMC  since the beginning  (WT/L/579 , para.  1(b) and Annex  A, 
paras.  4-5).  
26.  Under this item, the exchange of views has deepened the constructive engagement and 
development dialogue between development partners (providers and  beneficiaries ) on cotton 
development assistance. Consequently, I would like to encourage all the beneficiaries of cotton -
specific and cotton -related development assistance to continue to be forthcoming in communicating 
developments in their domestic cotto n sector reforms.  
7  COTTON BY -PRODUCTS  
27.  In 2018, the WTO, UNCTAD, and ITC secretariats established a Joint Initiative on Cotton By -
Products  at the request of the C -4 countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad and Mali) . This sought  to 
help LDCs to  exploit the value of cotton by -products and to generate additional revenue streams 
from cotton  production, processing, and trade.  The initiative was endorsed by WTO members at the  
meeting of the  WTO Director -General's Consultative Mechanism on Cotton held on 29 November 
2018. 
28.  The most widely commerciali zed part of the cotton plant is its fibre or lin t. However, other part s 
- such as the seeds, stalks, hulls and linters – also have commercial value. T he processing and 
commercialization of these cotton by -products is largely untapped in most developing countries.  
29.  The initiative aims to support LDCs' effort s to: generate new income sources  for farmers and 
processors, including women; increase domestic value addition; access new markets; improve trade 
balances through increased exports or import substitution; reduce waste and promote circularity in 
the cotton  value chain.  
30.  The initiative involves consultations between partner s - including  LDCs, their national experts, 
donors, South -South cooperation actors, and other international agencies within the framework of 
the thematic sessions that are part of the  regular WTO "Cotton Days ". WT/GC/238/Rev.1 • WT/CFMC/DG/9/Rev.1 • WT/MIN(21)/5/Rev.1  
 
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  31.  The initiative  so far yielded the following results : 
a. Phase 1  (2019-2020), eight feasibility assessment s completed in individual LDCs, with two 
additional assessments under way in Malawi and Togo under the lead of UNCTAD11;  
b. Phase 2 , implementation : UNCTAD and ITC , along with other  implementing agencies , have 
tabled a comprehensive project proposal with technical assistance and capacity buildin g 
activities to support the efforts of partner LDCs to draw additional value from the local 
transformation and trade of cotton by -products. Fundraising efforts for this project 
proposal are on -going12; 
c. In parallel, the C -4 and Côte d'Ivoire have tabled a draft General Council Declaration that 
would confirm the support of WTO Members for investments in underexploited cotton 
by-products value chains in LDCs .13 
8  WORLD COTTON DAY  
32.  With the aim o f support ing an UN Resolution for an annual day celebrat ing the importance of 
cotton as a global commodity, the C -4 requested a World Cotton Day launch event.  
33.  To this end, on 7 October 2019, the WTO hosted the launch of World Cotton Day (WC D) to 
showcase the contributions which cotton makes to economies worldwide. The event represented an 
unique opportunity for participants from around the world to: (i)  establish networks; (ii)  keep 
abreast of the latest developments on cotton production and  trade; and (iii)  discuss cotton -related 
challenges from national, regional and international perspectives , including for the most 
impoverished regions of the  world . 
34.  The launch event was organized by the WTO Secretariat, in collaboration with the secretariats 
of FAO, UNCTAD, ITC and ICAC.  
35.  The event at the WTO premises was attended by over 800 participants, including eight ministers 
from seven WTO Members , high-level of ficials, heads of international organizations, Geneva -based 
delegates and the global cotton community - national growers associations, traders, inspection 
services providers , cotton promoters, development assistance partners, scientists, scholars, 
retailer s, brand representatives, and  other  private sector  actors .  
36.  Two high -level activities and five thematic sessions were organized during the day, with the 
participation of cotton experts on trade, value addition, sustainability, technology, innovation, and 
market outlook.  
37.  A Joint Statement14 from major cotton producing Members confirmed the commitment of 
participants to intensify discussions on factors that negatively affect cotton trade and markets , and 
to enhanc e transparency and monitoring of cotton -related trade measures which affect the global 
cotton market. On the same day , the WTO convened  the first edition of the Partners ' Conference  
which served as a unique high -level platform for development cooperation partners to discuss their 
commitment to  the sustainable development of the cotton sector, particularly in Africa and in LDCs.  
38.  Other initiatives to mark the occasion  includ ed a joint publication on "Why cotton matters" , a 
fashion show, exhibitions, a photo contest, dedicated social media activities , and global activities  
conducted  in 12 countries by over 20  organizations . 
39.  On 7 October 2020, the WTO celebrat ed the first anniversary of World Cotton Day , as did other 
organizations in multiple countries .  
 
11 See documents WT/CFMC/W/84 -85-85-87-88. 
12 See document WT/CFMC/W/89.  
13 See document WT/GC/W/808/Rev.1.  
14 See d ocument JOB/AG/1 65-TN/AG/SCC/GEN/21 , dated 10 October 2019.  WT/GC/238/Rev.1 • WT/CFMC/DG/9/Rev.1 • WT/MIN(21)/5/Rev.1  
 
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  40.  The WTO's 2021 celebrations of WCD had a special significance following the adoption of a 
resolution15 by the United Nations General Assembly decision, on 30 August officially recogniz ing 7 
October as World Cotton Day , as proposed by Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Côte d 'Ivoire and Mali. 
The resolution  acknowledges the vital role cotton plays by providing livelihoods and subsistence for 
millions of people , and recognizes its broader  economic and social impact around the world.  
41.  For WCD 2021, the WTO published several news items and set up a dedicated webpage . The 
WTO also participated in  an intense social media campaign using #WorldCottonDay ; a joint webinar 
with ITC; displayed  an exhibition  of photos; and provided a space at WTO premises where stands 
could be set up by Members  and partner organizations , including the C -4, Brazil, China, ITC, and 
the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI).  
42.  Furthermore, the Prime Minister of Mali, M . Choguel  Kokalla MAÏGA, addressed the General 
Council meeting on 8 October . Mali's Minist er of Rural Development and the Minister for Industry 
and Trade , as well as  Burkina  Faso's Trade Minister also participated in the WCD 2021 events  at the 
WTO.  
43.  At the 37th DGCFMC meeting, Members welcomed the Food and Agriculture Organization of the 
United Nations (FAO) offer to host a high -level event for World Cotton Day on 7  October  2022, 
pursuant to the text of the UN General Assembly resolution. An invitation from FAO D G, 
Mr. Qu Dongyu, for Dr. Ngozi to attend the event in Rome is expected shortly. The C -4 countries, 
other WTO Members, and partners organizations committed to participate and support the event. 
The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) also presen ted its plans for WCD 2022, 
including global outreach through collaboration with national associations and the private sector for 
local activities. The WTO Secretariat highlighted the following planned activities: (i) news items and 
a dedicated webpage for  World Cotton Day on the WTO website; (ii) a dedicated social media 
campaign using #WorldCottonDay; and (iii) a stand/side event at FAO, if the sanitary conditions 
permit, to showcase the WTO's work on cotton to date.  
9  STUDY  ON COTTON AND COVID -19 
44.  At the re quest of the C -4 countries , the WTO Secretariat conducted a study to assess the impact 
of the COVID -19 pandemic on the cotton sector of a group of ten cotton producing LDCs.  
45.  The study, entitled " Impact s of the COVID -19 pandemic on cotton and its value chains: the case 
of the C -4 and other LDCs " and circulated in November 2021,  focuses on ten LDCs  that indicated 
cotton was a key priority area for their development strategies at the WTO's 2019 "Partners' 
Conference to Support Cotton Development in LDCs". These countries are Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, 
Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda,  and Zambia.  
46.  The study is divided into two parts . Part I focuses on the economic, social and environmental 
indicators and the COVID -19 impacts.  Part II of the study focuses on recovery and resilience - 
measures , and the way forward. It discusses cotto n-specific development assistance flows, and 
measures taken at the national and international levels . 
47.  The study includes the responses from a joint WTO -ICAC survey  of public and private 
stakeholders  in LDCs . The following priority recommendations were featured among the survey 
responses: digitalization of input and supply systems; access to affordable agricultural inputs.; 
access to funding; increas ed warehousing capacity of cotton ginning companies; price stabilization; 
improvement of agricultural practices; favourable trade, export and import policies.  
48.  Among other conclusions, the  study found that the pandemic has caus ed significant losses 
in 2020 cotton  export revenues and affect ed the livelihoods of millions of people.  
49.  The study also concluded that the pandem ic has shown the need for governments to ensure the 
cotton sector is resilient to future shocks, including climate -related extreme weather events and 
changing temperature and precipitation patterns.  
 
15 A/RES/75/318 . WT/GC/238/Rev.1 • WT/CFMC/DG/9/Rev.1 • WT/MIN(21)/5/Rev.1  
 
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  50.  The three main takeaways from the study are: 1) Cotton tr ade is key to the economic 
development, rural livelihoods, and food security of millions of people in Africa and has been hit hard 
by the pandemic; 2) cotton should be situated within a broader vision of competitiveness and 
productivity, in the context of the COVID -19 recovery plans in African LDCs; and 3) cotton has a key 
role to play in building resilience to future shocks, including as part of a broader climate action 
strategy.  
10  CONCLUSION  
51.  Cotton is of undeniable systemic importance for  many  LDCs, and for more than 30 African 
countries that produce and trade cotton. For this reason, and pursuant to the WTO  mandate for 
transparency and continued monitoring of cotton development assistance projects and initiatives, 
cotton remains a dossier of centra l importance at the WTO . Further progress in the advancement of 
this dossier  is pressing , including specific outcomes  at the 12th Ministerial Conference  and at the  
second  Partners' Conference  for cotton , that will take place on the 27th of July 2022, as pa rt of the 
Global Review of Aid for Trade . 
 
_______________  
 
 WT/GC/238/Rev.1 • WT/CFMC/DG/9/Rev.1 • WT/MIN(21)/5/Rev.1  
 
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  ANNEX  
COTTON SECTOR DEVELOPMENTS1 
A. COTTON TRADE  
1.  The volume of world cotton trade d surpassed 10 million tonnes for the second consecutive season  
starting in 20 20/2021 . World cotton imports for the 202 1/2022  season  are currently estimated at 
almost 10.07 million  tonne s. The United States,  Brazil, Francophone Africa, India, and Australia 
remained the largest exporters in the 2021 /2022  seasons . 
2.  The United States remained as the world 's largest exporter of cotton in 20 21/2022 , accounting 
for 2.96 million  tonnes.  
3.  Both global  imports and exports are projected to reach around 10 million metric tonnes in 
the 2021/2022  season.  
Table 1 – World's Top Exporters (2018 -2022) 
Years Beginning 1 August  
(million tonnes)  2018 /2019  2019 /2020  2020 /2021  2021 /2022  
  
estimate  estimate  projection  
EXPORTS      
WORLD TOTAL  9.28 9.21 10.60  10.07  
UNITED STATES  3.37 3.47 3.63 2.96 
BRAZIL  1.31 1.95 2.40 2.21 
CFA Zone 1.16 1.07 1.18 1.20 
INDIA  0.76 0.70 1.33 1.1 
AUSTRALIA  0.79 0.30 0.34 0.81 
UZBEKISTAN  0.16 0.10 0.01 0.01 
 
Chart 1 – World's Top Exporters (201 8/2019  and 2021 /2022 ) (in million tonnes)  
 
 
1 Data Source: ICAC World Cotton Database.  
0 2 4 6 8 10 12WORLD TOTALUNITED STATESBRAZILCFA ZoneINDIAAUSTRALIAUZBEKISTAN
2018/2019 2019/2020 2020/2021 2021/2022WT/GC/238/Rev.1 • WT/CFMC/DG/9/Rev.1 • WT/MIN(21)/5/Rev.1  
 
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  Table 2 – World's Top I mporters (2018 -2022) 
Years Beginning 1 August  
(million tonnes)  2018 /2019  2019 /2020  2020 /2021  2021 /2022  
  
estimate  estimate  projection  
IMPORTS      
WORLD TOTAL  9.22 8.77 10.39  10.07  
CHINA  2.10 1.60 2.80 2.31 
VIET NAM  1.51 1.41 1.55 1.70 
BANGLADESH  1.54 1.50 1.69 1.69 
TURKEY  0.79 1.02 1.16 1.17 
INDONESIA  0.66 0.55 0.50 0.54 
 
4.  Cotton production  in West Africa  was expected to increase in 202 1/2022  for the fourth successive 
season, reaching 1.3 6 million tonnes.  
5.  The world's largest cotton importers are presented in the graph below.  
Chart 2 – World's largest Importers (201 8/2019  to 2021 /2022 ) (in million tonnes)  
 
 
 
B. COTTON AREA  
6.  The world 's harvested area for cotton from 32 million hectares  in 2019/2020 season to 
34.5 million hectares in 2021/2022 . For 2020/21, India 's harvest area for cotton was the largest at 
13.373 million hectares, followed by the United States with 4 .654 million hectares, China with 
3.3 million hectares, Pakistan with 2 .527 million hectares and Brazil with 1. 665 million hectares. 
These countries together account for more than 70%  of total global a rea under cotton.  
7.  After a declin e by 22%  in the  cotton area  in West African countries , in 2021/2022 it has  increased 
by 44% , driven by the recovery of area  in Mali.  
C. COTTON PRODUCTIO N 
8.  Global production in 202 1/2022  is estimated at  26.36 million tonnes. The global leader s in 
production  are India (5.79 million tonnes) and China (5.73 million tonnes) . The United States 
remained the third largest producer with production of 3.81 million  tonnes.  
9.  Brazil increased production through area expans ion and yield improvements to 2.82 million 
tonnes , while Pakistan 's production is set at 1.27 million tonnes.  
024681012
WORLD TOTAL CHINA VIET NAM BANGLADESH TURKEY INDONESIA
2018/ 2019 2019/ 2020 2020/ 2021 2021/ 2022WT/GC/238/Rev.1 • WT/CFMC/DG/9/Rev.1 • WT/MIN(21)/5/Rev.1  
 
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  10.  In CFA zone  production is about  1.3 million tonnes of cotton in 202 1/2022 . Consumption and 
manufacturing remain limited in West Africa.  
Table 3 – World's Top cotton producers (2018 -2022) 
Years Beginning 1 August  
(million tonnes)  2018 /2019  2019 /2020  2020 /2021  2021 /2022  
  
estimate  estimate  projection  
PRODUCTION      
WORLD TOTAL  25.98 26.27  24.39  26.36  
INDIA  5.66 6.20 6.02 5.79 
CHINA  6.04 5.80 5.91 5.73 
UNITED STATES  4.00 4.34 3.18 3.81 
BRAZIL  2.78 3.00 2.36 2.82 
PAKISTAN  1.67 1.46 0.96 1.27 
UZBEKISTAN  0.64 0.53 1.03 0.94 
OTHERS  5.20 4.94 4.93 5.99 
 
 
Chart 3 – World's top cotton producers (20 18/2019  and 2021/22)  
 
 
 
 
0 5 10 15 20 25 30WORLD TOTALINDIACHINAUNITED STATESBRAZILPAKISTANUZBEKISTANRoW
2018/ 2019 2019/ 2020 2020/ 2021 2021/ 2022WT/GC/238/Rev.1 • WT/CFMC/DG/9/Rev.1 • WT/MIN(21)/5/Rev.1  
 
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  D. COTTON CONSUMPTION  
11.  Global consumption  of cotton is expected to rebound from the 202 0/2021  season and reach 
around 2 6.16 million tonnes for the 2021 /2022  season.  
Table 4 – World's Top cotton consumers (201 8/2019 -2021 /2022 ) 
Years Beginning 1 August  
(million tonnes)  2018/2019  2019/2020  2020/2021  2021/2022  
   
estimate  estimate  
CONSUMPTION      
WORLD TOTAL  26.01 23.05  25.66  26.16  
CHINA  8.25 7.23 8.40 8.31 
INDIA  5.40 4.45 5.70 5.59 
PAKISTAN  2.36 2.34 2.15 2.45 
TURKEY  1.68 1.47 1.60 1.62 
VIET NAM 1.51 1.45 1.52 1.68 
BANGLADESH  1.58 1.50 1.64 1.73 
UNITED STATES  0.63 0.47 0.52 0.56 
BRAZIL  0.73 0.57 0.69 0.70 
OTHERS  3.73 3.44 3.35 3.40 
 
Chart 4 – World's cotton consumption (20 16/2017  to 2021/22)  
 
 
 
E. COTTON YIELDS  
12.  The global  average yield was 761 .6 kg/ha in 20 21/2022 . Yields increased in Australia remains 
high at 1,657 kg/ha in 20 21/2022. Yields in China is around 1.757 kg/ha, while in  Brazil it is at 
1,802 kg/ha. Yields in the U nited States is currently 931 kg/ha . CFA Zone c ontinued to record low 
yields at 411  kg/ha.  
21222324252627
2016/2017 2017/2018 2018/2019 2019/2020 2020/2021 2021/2022WT/GC/238/Rev.1 • WT/CFMC/DG/9/Rev.1 • WT/MIN(21)/5/Rev.1  
 
- 14 - 
 
  F. INTERNATIONAL COTTON PRICES - Yearly averages from 2016/2017 to 2020/2021  
(USD cents per pound)  
 
 
 
__________  
82.7787.98
84.35
71.3384.96
0102030405060708090100
2016/2017 2017/2018 2018/2019 2019/2020 2020/2021Cotlook A -Index