WT/GC/238  
WT/CFMC/DG/9  
WT/MIN(21)/5  
 
15 November 2021  
(21-8545) Page: 1/13 
    
 
DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE ASPECTS OF COTTON  
NINTH PERIODIC REPORT BY THE DIRECTOR GENERAL1  
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 ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  8 
ANNEX  ................................ ................................ ................................ .............................  9 
A. COTTON TRADE  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............  9 
B. COTTON AREA  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............... 10 
C. COTTON PRODUCTION ................................ ................................ ................................ ....11 
D. COTTON CO NSUMPTION  ................................ ................................ ................................ .12 
E. COTTON YIELDS  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............. 12 
F. COTTON  PRICES  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............. 13 
 
 
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 • WT/CFMC/DG/9 • WT/MIN(21)/5  
 
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  1  INTRODUCTION  
1.  Since the last Periodic Report2 to the Membership on the development  assistance aspects of 
cotton, in November 20 17, eight rounds of the Director -General's Consultative Fram ework 
Mechanism on Cotton (DGCFMC) have been held , bringing the total number of such rounds to  36. 
The 3 6th meeting was held on 3 November 2021.  
2.  During the same period, eight revisions have been made to the Evolving Table on Cotton 
Development Assistance (ET), an unique tool to monitor trends and trace the evolution of 
development -assistance projects supporting the cotton sector in beneficiary developing countr y 
Members . The last update is the 32nd version3, circulated  on 27 October  2021.  
3.  I would like particularly to commend all the Members who have provided updates for the latest 
revisions of the ET , namely : Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, the European Union, France, 
Germany, India, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Switzerlan d, 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 and Agriculture 
Organization (FAO), th e 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  CONTEXT4 
5.  World cotton production, consumption and trade registered changes from the 2017/18 
to 2020/21 seasons in terms of over all production volumes, productivity, consumption and average 
international prices.  
6.  Global cotton production decrease d from 27 million tonnes in the 201 7/18 season to 24.33 million 
tonnes in the 2020/21 season . 
7.  Global consumption in the 2019/20 season reached 22.69 million tonnes , showing a decline when 
compared to the previous season.  
8.  Cotton production in West Africa remains predominant ly a smallholder cash crop . Cotton was 
harvested from an area of o ver 2.4 mil lion hectares, with a yield of 430 kg/ha. Exports from West 
African countries reached 1.3 million tonnes  in 2020/21 . 
9.  The global cotton area accounts for about 2.5% of the world 's arable land, on which 
approximately  29 million farmers grow the commodity. T he value of world cotton production in the 
current season is estimated at about USD 45 billion.  
10.  The top five e xporters in  the 2020/21 season were the United States, Brazil, West Africa, India, 
and Australia.  
11.  After falling in 2019/20 due to supply chain f ractures and low demand  associated with  the 
COVID -19 pandemic , global imports increased to  almost  10 million tonnes in  the 2020/21 season .  
12.  Asian countries are the biggest consumers of cotton. China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, 
Turkey, Viet  Nam, and Indonesia.  
13.  The top five import ers in the 2020/21 season  are: China, Bangladesh, Viet  Nam, Turkey and 
Indonesia . 
 
2 Document WT/GC/1 87 - WT/CFMC/DG/ 8 - WT/MIN( 17)/5, dated 22 November 201 7. 
3 Document WT/CFMC/6/Rev. 31 dated 27 October 2021. 
4 Data sour ce: International Cotton Advisory Committee  (ICAC) . WT/GC/238 • WT/CFMC/DG/9 • WT/MIN(21)/5  
 
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  14.  International cotton prices increased significantly in 2020/21. The Cotlook A Index  is expected 
to reach  75.70  cents per pound  by the end of the season . 
3  IMPLEMENTATION  
15.  The mandate5 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 6 (2005) , Bali7 (2013)  and Nairobi8 (2015) . 
16.  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.  
17.  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 Tabl e on Domestic 
Cotton Sector Reforms. These documents are unique commodity -specific tools for implementing the 
mandate on cotton development assistance and ensuring transparent monitoring.  
18.  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 information 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.31 , dated 27 October 2021 . 
19.  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 submitte d; 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, ten projects in total 
have been present ed by Benin, Burundi, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Mali, and one regional project 
from the C -4, the "Cotton Road Map Project".  
 
 
5 General Council Decision of 1 August 2004 (Document WT/L/579).  
6 Hong Kong Ministerial Declaration (Document WT/MIN(05)/DEC).  
7 Bali Ministerial Decision (Document WT/MIN(13)/41).  
8 Nairobi Ministerial Decision (Document WT/MIN(15)/46).   
  WT/GC/238 • WT /CFMC/DG/9 • WT/MIN(21)/5  
 
- 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  
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 ch ain, comprising, for instance: cotton production; cotton seeds quality; cotton -related good 
agriculture practices; cotton laboratories and inspection services on grading, testing and classification; cotton harvesting methods, ginning, processing, transport ation 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 mar keting and promotion initiatives; machinery and technology transfer.  
b Reported status: Open – waiting for technical assistance and/or financial funding for its implementation; Implementation in Progress (IP) – started projects; Concluded  (C) 
– fully comp leted 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 • WT/CFMC/DG/9 • WT/MIN(21)/5  
 
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  20.  Finally, it should be noted that Members highly appreciate the very informative presentations 
made by partner organizations, includi ng 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 cotton 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  EVOLUTI ON OF COTTON DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE  
21.  Chart 1 below shows the total amount of commit ted value in United States Dollars (USD) over 
the past eight versions of the ET, for both Part I  on "Cotton Specific 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  
 
 
22.  From the ET revision  29 (issued in November  2020) to revision 31 (issued in October 2021 ), 
the total committed amount for cotton -specific programmes has dropped  sharply  by 17% (from 
around USD 238 million to approximately USD 196 million ). During the same period, the total 
committed amount for agriculture and infrastructure -related development assistance  also decrease d 
by 4% (from around USD 2.248 billion to approximately USD 2 billion ). 
23.  The total number of active projects under Part I of the  ET on "Cotton Specific Development 
Assistance"  currently stands at 27 . Under Part II, on "Agriculture and Infrastructure -Related 
Development Assistance ", 47 projects ha ve been reported as ongoing . 
24.  Table 2 shows trends in  the ratio of disbursements to commitments over the latest five revisions 
of the ET.   
  3,471,536,3094,117,740,322
3,949,402,029
3,468,672,372
2,837,407,6613,561,989,7373,451,470,069
3,635,011,155
2,248,373,884
2,248,373,8842,089,789,190294,862,774
280,718,323
203,844,754
203,694,754 204,207,696238,282,240
185,480,519247,559,738
224,181,911237,977,368
196,156,454
196,290,604
050,000,000100,000,000150,000,000200,000,000250,000,000300,000,000350,000,000
0500,000,0001,000,000,0001,500,000,0002,000,000,0002,500,000,0003,000,000,0003,500,000,0004,000,000,0004,500,000,000
Rev. 20
(1/2016)Rev. 21
(2/2016)Rev. 22
(1/2017)Rev. 23
(2/2017)Rev. 24
(1/2018)Rev. 25
(2/2018)Rev. 26
(1/2019)Rev. 27
(2/2019)Rev. 28
(1/2020)Rev. 29
(2/2020)Rev. 30
(1/2021)Rev. 31
(2/2021)ET -ACTIVE PROGRAMMES (USD)
Agriculture and infrastructure related programmes
Cotton-specific programmesWT/GC/238 • WT/CFMC/DG/9 • WT/MIN(21)/5  
 
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  Table 2 – Ratio of total disbursements to total commitments  from the ET Rev.27 -30 
Comparison Table - Ratio Commitment / Disbursement  
ET Rev.27  
(2/2019)  Rev.28  
(1/2020)  Rev.29  
(2/2019)  Rev.30  
(1/2021)  Rev.31  
(2/2021)  
Part I - Active  38% 29% 28% 32% 33% 
Part II - Active  32% 27% 27% 28% 28% 
Part I - Completed  77% 79% 79% 80% 80% 
Part II - Completed  97% 84% 84% 84% 84% 
 
25.  The latest version of the ET (dated 27 October 2021 ) 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 successful outcome s under cotton development assistance programmes . 
5  SOUTH – SOUTH COOPERATION ON COTTON  
26.  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 o n solidarity , and on these Members' shared goal s of improving 
productivity, inclusiveness, and sustainability in the cotton sector. The platform for South -South 
Cooperation 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  
27.  The 1 8th version of the Table on Domestic Cotton Sector Reforms ( WT/C FMC/21/Rev.17 ), 
circulated on 24 May 2021, 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).  
28.  Under this item, the ex change 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 cotton sector reforms.  
7  COTTON BY -PRODUCTS  
29.  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  exploi t 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. 
30.  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.  
31.  The initiative aims to support LDCs ' efforts 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.  
32.  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 • WT/CFMC/DG/9 • WT/MIN(21)/5  
 
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  33.  The initiative is divided into two main phases : 
a. Phase 1 , feasibility assessment : in 2019 -2020 the WTO Secretariat  coordinated an 
exercise aimed at assessing the  needs of partner LDCs9;  
b. Phase 2 , implementation : UNCTAD and ITC , along with other, subsequently conduct 
capacity -building and technical assistance activities in partner LDCs .10 
8  WORLD COTTON DAY  
34.  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.  
35.  To this end, on 7 October 2019, the WTO hosted the launch of World Cotton Day (WCD)  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 late st 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 . 
36.  The launch event was organized by the WTO Secretar iat, in collaboration with the secretariats 
of FAO, UNCTAD, ITC and ICAC.  
37.  The event at the WTO premises was attended by over 800 participants, including eight ministers 
from seven WTO Members , high-level officials, 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, schol ars, 
retailers, brand representatives, and  other  private sector  actors .  
38.  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, inno vation, and 
market outlook.  
39.  A Joint Statement11 from major cotton producing Members confirmed the commitment of 
participants to intensify discus sions 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 sustain able development of the cotton sector, particularly in Africa and in LDCs.  
40.  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 . 
41.  On 7 October 2020, the WTO celebrat ed the first anniversary of World Cotton Day , as did other 
organizations in multiple countries .  
42.  The WTO's 2021 celebrations of WCD had a special significance following the adoption of a 
resolution12 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.  
43.  For WCD 2021, the WTO published several news i tems 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 
 
9 See documents WT/CFMC/W/84 -85-87-88. 
10 See document WT/CFMC/W/89.  
11 See d ocument JOB/AG/165 -TN/AG/SCC/GEN/21 , dated 10 October 2019.  
12 A/RES/75/318 . WT/GC/238 • WT/CFMC/DG/9 • WT/MIN(21)/5  
 
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  could be set up by Members and partner organizations , including the C -4, Brazil, China, ITC, and 
the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI).  
44.  Furthermore, the Prime Minister of Mali, M . Choguel  Kokalla  MAÏGA, addressed the General 
Council meeting on 8 October . Mali's Minist er of Rural De velopment 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.  
9  STUDY  ON COTTON AND COVID -19 
45.  At the request 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 African LDCs.  
46.  Among other conclusions, the  study found that the pandemic has caus ed significant losses in  
cotton  export revenues and aff ected the livelihoods of millions of people.  
47.  The study also concluded that the pandemic had 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.  
48.  The study, entitled " Impact of the COVID -19 pandemic on cotton and its value chains: the case 
of the C -4 and other LDCs " 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.  
49.  The study is divided into two parts . Part I of the study 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 discuss es cotto n-specific development assistance 
flows, and measures taken at the national and international levels . 
50.  The study includes the responses from a joint WTO -ICAC survey  of public and private 
stakeholders  in LDCs . The following priority recommendations w ere 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.  
51.  The three main takeaways of the study are: 1) Cotton trade is key to the economic development, 
rural livelihoods, and food security of millions of people in Africa and has been hit hard by the 
pandem ic; 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  
52.  Cotton is of undeniable systemic importance for LDCs, and for the 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 central importance at the WTO . I hope to see further progress in the advancement of this 
dossier, including in the outcomes  of the 12th Ministerial Conference . 
 
_______________  
 
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  ANNEX  
COTTON SECTOR DEVELOPMENTS1 
A. COTTON TRADE  
1.  The volume of world cotton trade surpassed 9 million tonnes for the fourth  consecutive season  
starting in 2017 . World cotton imports for the 2020 /21 season  are currently estimated at almost 10 
million tonnes. The United States,  Brazil, Francophone Africa, India, and Aus tralia remained the 
largest exporters in the 2019/20  and 2020/21 seasons , accounting for 75% of world exports.  
2.  The United States remained as the world 's largest exporter of cotton in 20 20/21 , accounting for 
3.4 million  tonnes.  
3.  Both global  imports and expo rts are projected to reach around 10 million metric tonnes in 
the 2020/2021 season.  
Table 1 – World's Top Exporters (2018 -2021)  
Years Beginning 1 August  
(million tonnes)  2018  2019  2020  2021  
  
estimate  estimate  projection  
EXPORTS      
WORLD TOTAL  9.299  9.029  9.83 9.95 
UNITED STATES  3.365  3.381  3.39 2.72 
INDIA  0.765  0.696  1.14 1.32 
WEST AFRICA  1.178  0.965  1.31 1.31 
BRAZIL  1.310  1.946  2.00 2.00 
UZBEKISTAN  0.159  0.100  0.08 0.08 
AUSTRALIA  0.791  0.295  0.26 0.26 
 
Chart 1 – World's Top Exporters (2019/20 and 2020/21)  (in million tonnes)  
 
 
 
 
1 Data Source: ICAC World Cotton Database.  
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  Table 2 – World's Top I mporters (2018 -2021)  
Years Beginning 1 August  
(million tonnes)  2018  2019  2020  2021  
  
estimate  estimate  projection  
IMPORTS      
WORLD TOTAL  9.221  8.703  9.83 9.95 
CHINA  2.100  1.554  2.40 2.35 
BANGLADESH  1.544  1.500  1.58 1.59 
VIET NAM 1.510  1.459  1.48 1.53 
INDONESIA  0.664  0.547  0.46 0.47 
TURKEY  0.786  1.017  1.01 1.05 
 
4.  Cotton production  in West Africa  was expected to increase in 2019/20 for the fourth successive 
season, reaching 1.3 million tonnes.  
5.  In Benin and Burkina Faso, the area planted with cotton was 666,000 hectares and 579,000 
hectares respectively  in 2020/21, leading to 311 ,000 and 193 ,000 tonnes of cotton production . 
6.  In Mali, 738,000 hectares  were cultivated with cotton , resulting in 299 ,000 tonnes of cotton 
production in 2020/21.  
7.  The C OVID -19 pandemic badly affected LDC s cotton exports owing to order cancellations, 
logistical interruptions in the supply chain , and an increase in the cost of imported inputs. 
Nevertheless, due to an increase in prices for fa rmers in Mali and Burkina Faso for the 2021/22 
season, the West Afr ican region is expected to experience  a rebound in production : this is now 
projected  to grow by  38%, to 1,470,000  tonnes.  
8.  The world's largest cotton importers are presented in the graph below.  
Chart 2 – World's largest Importers (2016/17 to 2020/21)  (in million tonnes)  
 
 
 
B. COTTON AREA  
9.  The world 's harvested area for cotton fell by 7% (to 32 million hectares ) compared to the previous 
season. For 2020/21, India 's harvest area for cotton was the largest at 13.5 million hectares, 
followed by the United States with 3.4 million hectares, China with 3.2 million hectares, Pakistan 
with 2 million hectares and Brazil with 1.4 million hectares. These countries together account for 
more than 70%  of total global area under cotton.  
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  C. COTTON  PRODUCTIO N 
10.  Global production in 2019/20 was 26 million tonnes. The global leader in production, India, saw 
an 8% increase to over 6 million tonnes. The second largest producer of cotton, China, saw a 4% 
decrease from the previous season to 5.8 million ton nes with small increases in area and yield. The 
United States remained the third largest producer with production increasing 8% to 
4.3 million  tonnes.  
11.  Brazil increased production through area expansion and yield improvements to 3 million tonnes, 
representing an 8% increase. Pakistan saw a production decrease of 21% to 1.3 million tonnes while 
Turkey saw a 18% decrease to 800,000 tonnes. Australia, with limited water availability, produced 
134,000 tonnes, representing a decrease of 72%.  
12.  In West Afr ica marginal area expansion and production were reported for 2019/20. While yields 
for the region remain the lowest in the world for the rain -fed crop, production increased by 2% to a 
record high of 1.3 million tonnes of cotton lint in 2019/20. Consumption  and manufacturing remain 
limited in West Africa.  
Table 3 – World's Top cotton producers (2018 -2021)  
Years Beginning 1 August  
(million tonnes)  2018  2019  2020  2021  
  
estimate  estimate  projection  
PRODUCTION      
WORLD TOTAL  26.15  26.24  24.58  24.32  
INDIA  5.661  6.205  6.31 6.35 
CHINA  6.040  5.800  5.91 5.61 
UNITED STATES  3.999  4.336  1.31 3.04 
PAKISTAN  1.670  1.320  0.89 0.85 
BRAZIL  2.779  3.002  2.49 2.31 
UZBEKISTAN  0.827  0.631  1.03 0.94 
OTHERS  5.176  4.951  6.64 5.22 
 
Chart 3 – World's top cotton producers (2020/21 and 2021/22)  
 5.76.63.72.30.81.50.80.73.4
 -  1  2  3  4  5  6  7CHINAINDIAUSABRAZILPAKISTANWEST AFRICAAUSTRALIATURKEYROW
MILLION TONNES2020/21 2021/22WT/GC/238 • WT/CFMC/DG/9 • WT/MIN(21)/5  
 
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  D. COTTON CONSUMPTION  
13.  Global consumption  of cotton is expected to rebound from the 2019 -20 season and reach around 
25 million tonnes for the 2020 -21 season.  
14.  The initial forecast of world raw cotton consumption in 2021/22 is just over 25.5  million tonnes, 
implying growth of about 4% from the prev ious season. That would bring back the global total to a 
level only modestly above the estimate for 2018/19.  
Table 4 – World's Top cotton consumers (2017 -2021)  
Years Beginning 1 August  
(million tonnes)  2017  2018  2019  2020  2021  
   
estimate  estimate  projection  
CONSUMPTION       
WORLD TOTAL  26.41  25.93  22.69  24.97  25.32  
CHINA  8.50 8.25 7.25 8.10 8.03 
INDIA  5.42 5.40 4.45 5.45 5.72 
PAKISTAN  2.35 2.36 1.98 2.15 2.15 
TURKEY  1.48 1.55 1.59 1.58 1.62 
VIET NAM 1.51 1.51 1.45 1.48 1.51 
BANGLADESH  1.66 1.58 1.50 1.60 1.63 
UNITED STATES  0.70 0.63 0.47 0.50 0.53 
BRAZIL  0.68 0.73 0.61 0.61 0.62 
OTHERS  3.80 3.78 3.37 3.37 3.39 
 
Chart 4 – World's cotton consumption (2002/03 to 2021/22)  
 
 
E. COTTON YIELDS  
15.  The global  average yield was 761 kg/ha in 2019/20 falling 3% from 788 kg/ha the previous 
year. Yields increased in Australia by 59%, increasing from 1 ,414 kg/ha in 2018/19 to 2 ,245 kg/ha 
in 2019/20, following the 30% decrease seen in the previous season. Yields in C hina decreased 2% 
in 2019/20 after reaching a high the previous season. The average yield Brazil increased to 
1,802 kg/ha in 2019/20. In Mexico, yields decreased to 1 ,644 kg/ha with a 3% contraction. Yields 
in the U nited States decreased by 7% to 923 kg/ha , with yields in South Africa falling to  954 kg/ha.  
WT/GC/238 • WT/CFMC/DG/9 • WT/MIN(21)/5  
 
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  F. COTTON  PRICE S 
16.  Following a season  high in January 2020, international cotton prices fell through February and 
March. In April, the 2019/20 Cotlook A index reached a season low. The season average 
of 71.3 cents/pound represents the third consecutive season of declining cotton prices. The ICAC's 
current price projection for the year end 2020/21 average of the A Index is 75.7  cents per pound.  
Chart 5 – International cotton prices (2000 to 2021)  
 
 
 
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