Higher over the period
Egypt Cotton Production moved from 54.83 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 77.53 Thousand Tonnes in 2023 (+41.4%), an average of +4.4% a year. The series high was 124 Thousand Tonnes in 2018 and the low 38.40 Thousand Tonnes in 2016.
What Egypt Cotton Production shows
Egypt Cotton Production was 77.53 Thousand Tonnes in 2023, down 13.9% on 2022. The Egypt Cotton Production dataset provides a comprehensive assessment of the country’s cotton cultivation performance and agricultural output trends between 2015 and 2023.
A 69% peak-to-trough swing
The gap between the series high (2018) and low (2016) is 85.60 Thousand Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +104.9% in 2017.
Ranks 12 of 21 countries covered
Among the 21 countries in this dataset, Egypt ranks 12 for 2023, behind China (5,618 Thousand Tonnes) and India (5,529 Thousand Tonnes). It accounts for 0.3% of the global total in 2023.
Full series
Egypt 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 | 77.53 | −13.9% |
| 2022 | 90.00 | +28.6% |
| 2021 | 70.00 | +18.6% |
| 2020 | 59.00 | −19.2% |
| 2019 | 73.00 | −41.1% |
| 2018Peak | 124 | +57.6% |
| 2017 | 78.68 | +104.9% |
| 2016 Trough | 38.40 | −30% |
| 2015 | 54.83 | — |
Regional context
How Egypt compares in Africa
Cotton Production by country, 2023, Thousand Tonnes. Egypt is highlighted.
1Cameroon178.5
2Nigeria99.20
3Egypt77.53
4South Africa16.04
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).
Measured in Thousand Tonnes, the dataset serves as an important benchmark for evaluating cotton farming capacity, agricultural productivity, premium cotton supply, textile industry development, and Egypt’s historical importance in the global cotton market. Based on the validated data, Egypt’s cotton production experienced fluctuations throughout the study period, with significant growth followed by periodic declines. Cotton production started at 54.83 thousand tonnes in 2015 and decreased to 38.40 thousand tonnes in 2016. Output increased significantly to 78.68 thousand tonnes in 2017 and continued rising to 124.00 thousand tonnes in 2018, representing the highest production level during the period. Production declined to 73.00 thousand tonnes in 2019 and further decreased to 59.00 thousand tonnes in 2020. Cotton output recovered to 70.00 thousand tonnes in 2021 and increased further to 90.00 thousand tonnes in 2022. Production declined slightly to 77.53 thousand tonnes in 2023 while remaining above early-period levels. The overall trend highlights Egypt’s production recovery potential and continued importance in cotton cultivation.
The dataset provides valuable insights into Egypt’s cotton production trends, agricultural performance, and supply chain development. It supports historical analysis, production benchmarking, market evaluation, and future forecasting. Farmers, textile manufacturers, exporters, policymakers, investors, researchers, and industry stakeholders can utilize the dataset to assess production changes, evaluate market opportunities, improve agricultural planning, and strengthen cotton value chain strategies. The data also supports analysis of Egypt’s global cotton competitiveness, sustainable farming practices, agricultural innovation, and long-term development opportunities within the textile and agricultural sectors.
- Indicator
- Cotton Production
- Country
- Egypt
- 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 Egypt 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 Egypt Cotton Production in 2023?
Egypt Cotton Production was 77.53 Thousand Tonnes in 2023, down 13.9% on 2022.
How has Egypt Cotton Production changed between 2015 and 2023?
Egypt Cotton Production moved from 54.83 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 77.53 Thousand Tonnes in 2023 (+41.4%), an average of +4.4% a year. The series high was 124 Thousand Tonnes in 2018 and the low 38.40 Thousand Tonnes in 2016.
Which year had the highest and lowest Egypt Cotton Production?
The highest value was 124 Thousand Tonnes in 2018 and the lowest was 38.40 Thousand Tonnes in 2016.
What does the Egypt 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 Egypt 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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