Broadly stable
China Cotton Production moved from 5,610 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 5,618 Thousand Tonnes in 2023 (+0.1%), an average of +0% a year. The series high was 6,103 Thousand Tonnes in 2018 and the low 5,343 Thousand Tonnes in 2016.
What China Cotton Production shows
China Cotton Production was 5,618 Thousand Tonnes in 2023, down 6.1% on 2022. The China Cotton Production dataset provides a comprehensive assessment of the country’s cotton production performance and agricultural sector development between 2015 and 2023. Measured in Million Tonnes, the dataset serves as a key reference for evaluating cotton cultivation capacity, agricultural productivity, textile raw material supply, farming efficiency, and China’s position in the global cotton industry.
A 12.5% peak-to-trough swing
The gap between the series high (2018) and low (2016) is 759.8 Thousand Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +8% in 2018.
Ranks 1 of 21 countries covered
Among the 21 countries in this dataset, China ranks 1 for 2023. It accounts for 22.7% of the global total in 2023.
Full series
China Cotton Production by year
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 5,618 | −6.1% |
| 2022 | 5,980 | +4.4% |
| 2021 | 5,731 | −3% |
| 2020 | 5,911 | +0.4% |
| 2019 | 5,889 | −3.5% |
| 2018Peak | 6,103 | +8% |
| 2017 | 5,653 | +5.8% |
| 2016 Trough | 5,343 | −4.8% |
| 2015 | 5,610 | — |
Regional context
How China compares in Asia
Cotton Production by country, 2023, Thousand Tonnes. China is highlighted.
1China5,618
2India5,529
3Turkey777
4Myanmar153.2
5Bangladesh21.10
6Israel14.04
7Thailand1.51
8Indonesia0.0407
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, China maintained a relatively stable cotton production level throughout the study period, supported by its large-scale agricultural infrastructure and established cotton cultivation ecosystem. Cotton production started at 5.61 million tonnes in 2015 and declined slightly to 5.34 million tonnes in 2016. Output increased to 5.65 million tonnes in 2017 and continued upward to 6.10 million tonnes in 2018, representing the highest production level during the period. Production moderated to 5.89 million tonnes in 2019 and remained stable at 5.91 million tonnes in 2020. Cotton output decreased slightly to 5.73 million tonnes in 2021 before recovering to 5.98 million tonnes in 2022. Production declined again to 5.62 million tonnes in 2023, reflecting minor year-to-year fluctuations while maintaining overall stability. The trend indicates China’s consistent cotton production capacity and resilience in supporting domestic textile manufacturing demand.
The dataset provides valuable insights into China’s cotton production trends, agricultural performance, and supply chain development. It supports production analysis, historical comparison, international benchmarking, market evaluation, and forecasting of future cotton availability. Textile companies, agricultural producers, policymakers, investors, exporters, researchers, and industry analysts can utilize the dataset to assess production stability, evaluate supply risks, understand market dynamics, and develop strategies for improving agricultural efficiency and resource management. The data also supports analysis of China’s contribution to the global cotton market, innovation in agricultural practices, and long-term development of the textile and agricultural value chain.
- Indicator
- Cotton Production
- Country
- China
- Region
- Asia
- 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 China 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 China Cotton Production in 2023?
China Cotton Production was 5,618 Thousand Tonnes in 2023, down 6.1% on 2022.
How has China Cotton Production changed between 2015 and 2023?
China Cotton Production moved from 5,610 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 5,618 Thousand Tonnes in 2023 (+0.1%), an average of +0% a year. The series high was 6,103 Thousand Tonnes in 2018 and the low 5,343 Thousand Tonnes in 2016.
Which year had the highest and lowest China Cotton Production?
The highest value was 6,103 Thousand Tonnes in 2018 and the lowest was 5,343 Thousand Tonnes in 2016.
What does the China 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 China 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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