– 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.
Brazil Cotton Production was 2,924 Thousand Tonnes in 2023, up 18.3% on 2022. The Brazil Cotton Production dataset provides a comprehensive assessment of the country’s cotton cultivation performance and agricultural output trends between 2015 and 2023.
Brazil Cotton Production moved from 1,627 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 2,924 Thousand Tonnes in 2023 (+79.7%), an average of +7.6% a year. The series high was 2,924 Thousand Tonnes in 2023 and the low 1,420 Thousand Tonnes in 2016.
The gap between the series high (2023) and low (2016) is 1,503 Thousand Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +39.1% in 2019.
Among the 21 countries in this dataset, Brazil ranks 3 for 2023, behind China (5,618 Thousand Tonnes) and India (5,529 Thousand Tonnes). It accounts for 11.8% of the global total in 2023.
Full series
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Thousand Tonnes.
Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.
| Year | Thousand Tonnes | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023Peak | 2,924 | +18.3% |
| 2022 | 2,470 | +10.9% |
| 2021 | 2,228 | −19.2% |
| 2020 | 2,757 | +2.6% |
| 2019 | 2,688 | +39.1% |
| 2018 | 1,933 | +29% |
| 2017 | 1,499 | +5.5% |
| 2016 Trough | 1,420 | −12.7% |
| 2015 | 1,627 | — |
Regional context
Cotton Production by country, 2023, Thousand Tonnes. Brazil is highlighted.
Data definition
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.
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).
Measured in Million Tonnes, the dataset serves as an important benchmark for evaluating cotton farming capacity, agricultural productivity, export competitiveness, textile industry supply, and Brazil’s growing position in the global cotton market. Based on the validated data, Brazil’s cotton production demonstrated a strong overall growth trend during the study period, supported by expanded cultivation and improved agricultural efficiency. Cotton production started at 1.63 million tonnes in 2015 and declined slightly to 1.42 million tonnes in 2016. Output recovered to 1.50 million tonnes in 2017 and increased significantly to 1.93 million tonnes in 2018. Production continued rising to 2.69 million tonnes in 2019 and reached 2.76 million tonnes in 2020, reflecting strong sector expansion. Cotton output decreased to 2.23 million tonnes in 2021 before recovering to 2.47 million tonnes in 2022. Production reached a study-period high of 2.92 million tonnes in 2023, highlighting Brazil’s strong production capacity and global competitiveness. The overall trend demonstrates consistent long-term growth despite short-term fluctuations.
The dataset provides valuable insights into Brazil’s cotton production trends, agricultural performance, and export-oriented farming development. It supports historical analysis, international benchmarking, market assessment, and future forecasting of cotton supply. Farmers, textile manufacturers, exporters, policymakers, investors, researchers, and industry stakeholders can use the dataset to evaluate production growth, analyze market opportunities, optimize supply chain strategies, and support investment decisions. The data also contributes to understanding Brazil’s expanding role in global cotton trade, agricultural innovation, productivity improvement, and sustainable development across the cotton and textile industries.
Using this data in a report, paper or presentation? Copy a formatted citation.
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).
Brazil Cotton Production was 2,924 Thousand Tonnes in 2023, up 18.3% on 2022.
Brazil Cotton Production moved from 1,627 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 2,924 Thousand Tonnes in 2023 (+79.7%), an average of +7.6% a year. The series high was 2,924 Thousand Tonnes in 2023 and the low 1,420 Thousand Tonnes in 2016.
The highest value was 2,924 Thousand Tonnes in 2023 and the lowest was 1,420 Thousand Tonnes in 2016.
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.
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.
Need more data?
Need a longer historical series, a custom country set, additional dimensions, or a tailored dataset? Send us your requirement.