Broadly stable
Africa Cotton Production moved from 1,564 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 1,540 Thousand Tonnes in 2023 (−1.5%), an average of −0.2% a year. The series high was 1,941 Thousand Tonnes in 2019 and the low 1,540 Thousand Tonnes in 2023.
What Africa Cotton Production shows
Africa Cotton Production was 1,540 Thousand Tonnes in 2023, down 7.9% on 2022. The Africa Cotton Production dataset provides a comprehensive assessment of the region’s cotton cultivation performance and agricultural output trends between 2015 and 2023. Measured in Thousand Tonnes, the dataset serves as a benchmark for evaluating cotton production capacity, agricultural productivity, textile raw material availability, and the development of Africa’s cotton industry.
A 20.6% peak-to-trough swing
The gap between the series high (2019) and low (2023) is 400.8 Thousand Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +16.7% in 2019.
Cameroon leads the region
Within Africa, Cameroon has the highest value in 2023 at 178.5 Thousand Tonnes, 11.6% of the regional total.
Country ranking
Cotton Production by country, 2023
Thousand Tonnes. Sort by any column, or search for a country.
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| Rank↕ | Country↕ | Share of top | Thousand Tonnes↕ | vs 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cameroon | 178.5 | +26% | |
| 2 | Nigeria | 99.20 | −4.6% | |
| 3 | Egypt | 77.53 | −13.9% | |
| 4 | South Africa | 16.04 | +14.7% |
Full series
Africa Cotton Production by year
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Thousand Tonnes.
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| Year | Thousand Tonnes | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 Trough | 1,540 | −7.9% |
| 2022 | 1,673 | −12.2% |
| 2021 | 1,905 | +16% |
| 2020 | 1,643 | −15.4% |
| 2019Peak | 1,941 | +16.7% |
| 2018 | 1,664 | −0.7% |
| 2017 | 1,676 | +6.8% |
| 2016 | 1,569 | +0.3% |
| 2015 | 1,564 | — |
Data definition
Inclusions and exclusions
Cotton Production — – Cotton Production refers to the total quantity of cotton lint produced from harvested cotton crops within a country during a specified period, measured in tonnes. The indicator reflects the scale of cotton cultivation, agricultural productivity, and the contribution of cotton farming to the textile and agricultural sectors. It is used to assess global cotton supply, production capacity, and the availability of raw materials for textile manufacturing. The data presented by Our World in Data is based on statistics from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
The data includes annual production of cotton lint obtained from harvested cotton plants and recorded as primary agricultural output. It covers cotton produced for textile manufacturing, yarn production, industrial processing, and export markets. The figures represent harvested cotton quantities collected from official agricultural statistics and standardized by the FAO to enable international comparison across countries and years.
The data excludes cotton fiber processing, yarn, fabrics, garments, and other finished textile products. It also excludes cottonseed production, cottonseed oil, cotton imports and exports, cultivated land area, cotton yield per hectare, and inventory changes. Post-harvest losses, informal or unrecorded cotton production not captured in official agricultural statistics, and synthetic fibers such as polyester, nylon, and other non-cotton textile materials are also excluded from this indicator.
About this indicator
Cotton Production — – Cotton Production refers to the total quantity of cotton lint produced from harvested cotton crops within a country during a specified period, measured in tonnes. The indicator reflects the scale of cotton cultivation, agricultural productivity, and the contribution of cotton farming to the textile and agricultural sectors. It is used to assess global cotton supply, production capacity, and the availability of raw materials for textile manufacturing. The data presented by Our World in Data is based on statistics from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Based on the validated data, Africa’s cotton production experienced fluctuations during the study period. Regional output increased from 1,564.25 thousand tonnes in 2015 to 1,568.51 thousand tonnes in 2016, reaching 1,675.62 thousand tonnes in 2017 and 1,663.53 thousand tonnes in 2018. Production reached a peak of 1,941.11 thousand tonnes in 2019 before declining to 1,642.70 thousand tonnes in 2020. Output recovered to 1,905.11 thousand tonnes in 2021 but decreased to 1,672.50 thousand tonnes in 2022 and 1,540.29 thousand tonnes in 2023. The overall trend highlights Africa’s strong cotton production base with variations influenced by agricultural conditions, market dynamics, and production cycles. The dataset provides valuable insights into Africa’s cotton production trends, agricultural performance, and supply chain development. Cameroon increased production from 107.00 thousand tonnes in 2015 to 178.50 thousand tonnes in 2023, while Nigeria recorded 99.20 thousand tonnes in 2023. Egypt reached its highest output of 124.00 thousand tonnes in 2018, and South Africa contributed consistently to regional supply. The dataset supports historical analysis, regional benchmarking, market evaluation, and future forecasting. Farmers, textile manufacturers, exporters, policymakers, investors, and researchers can utilize the data to assess production trends, evaluate opportunities, improve agricultural strategies, strengthen supply chains, and support sustainable growth across Africa’s cotton and textile industries.
- Indicator
- Cotton Production
- Region
- Africa
- Unit
- Thousand Tonnes
- Coverage
- 2015–2023, annual
- Category
- Agriculture
- Last updated
- July 2026
- Source
- Our World in Data
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Frequently asked questions
What is Africa Cotton Production?
Definition – Cotton Production refers to the total quantity of cotton lint produced from harvested cotton crops within a country during a specified period, measured in tonnes. The indicator reflects the scale of cotton cultivation, agricultural productivity, and the contribution of cotton farming to the textile and agricultural sectors. It is used to assess global cotton supply, production capacity, and the availability of raw materials for textile manufacturing. The data presented by Our World in Data is based on statistics from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
What was Africa Cotton Production in 2023?
Africa Cotton Production was 1,540 Thousand Tonnes in 2023, down 7.9% on 2022.
How has Africa Cotton Production changed between 2015 and 2023?
Africa Cotton Production moved from 1,564 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 1,540 Thousand Tonnes in 2023 (−1.5%), an average of −0.2% a year. The series high was 1,941 Thousand Tonnes in 2019 and the low 1,540 Thousand Tonnes in 2023.
Which year had the highest and lowest Africa Cotton Production?
The highest value was 1,941 Thousand Tonnes in 2019 and the lowest was 1,540 Thousand Tonnes in 2023.
What does the Africa Cotton Production data include and exclude?
Included: The data includes annual production of cotton lint obtained from harvested cotton plants and recorded as primary agricultural output. It covers cotton produced for textile manufacturing, yarn production, industrial processing, and export markets. The figures represent harvested cotton quantities collected from official agricultural statistics and standardized by the FAO to enable international comparison across countries and years. Excluded: The data excludes cotton fiber processing, yarn, fabrics, garments, and other finished textile products. It also excludes cottonseed production, cottonseed oil, cotton imports and exports, cultivated land area, cotton yield per hectare, and inventory changes. Post-harvest losses, informal or unrecorded cotton production not captured in official agricultural statistics, and synthetic fibers such as polyester, nylon, and other non-cotton textile materials are also excluded from this indicator.
Where does the Africa Cotton Production data come from?
The series is sourced from Our World in Data (https://ourworldindata.org/explorers/global-food?time=latest&overlay=download-data&Food=Cotton&Metric=Production&Per+capita=false&country=USA~DEU~FRA~GBR~BRA~ZAF%3BhideControls). It covers 2015–2023 and is reported in Thousand Tonnes.
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