Higher over the period
India Cotton Production moved from 5,101 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 5,529 Thousand Tonnes in 2023 (+8.4%), an average of +1% a year. The series high was 6,131 Thousand Tonnes in 2020 and the low 4,767 Thousand Tonnes in 2019.
What India Cotton Production shows
India Cotton Production was 5,529 Thousand Tonnes in 2023, down 3.4% on 2022. The India Cotton Production dataset provides a comprehensive assessment of the country’s cotton cultivation performance and agricultural output trends between 2015 and 2023. Measured in Million Tonnes, the dataset serves as an important benchmark for evaluating cotton farming capacity, crop productivity, textile industry supply, agricultural development, and India’s role in the global cotton market.
A 22.2% peak-to-trough swing
The gap between the series high (2020) and low (2019) is 1,364 Thousand Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +28.6% in 2020.
Ranks 2 of 21 countries covered
Among the 21 countries in this dataset, India ranks 2 for 2023, behind China (5,618 Thousand Tonnes) and Brazil (2,924 Thousand Tonnes). It accounts for 22.4% of the global total in 2023.
Full series
India 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 | 5,529 | −3.4% |
| 2022 | 5,722 | −4.5% |
| 2021 | 5,992 | −2.3% |
| 2020Peak | 6,131 | +28.6% |
| 2019 Trough | 4,767 | −14.5% |
| 2018 | 5,577 | +0.7% |
| 2017 | 5,538 | −0.1% |
| 2016 | 5,542 | +8.6% |
| 2015 | 5,101 | — |
Regional context
How India compares in Asia
Cotton Production by country, 2023, Thousand Tonnes. India 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, India’s cotton production experienced moderate fluctuations during the study period, influenced by variations in cultivation conditions, productivity levels, and agricultural factors. Cotton production began at 5.10 million tonnes in 2015 and increased to 5.54 million tonnes in 2016, maintaining the same level of 5.54 million tonnes in 2017. Output further increased slightly to 5.58 million tonnes in 2018, followed by a decline to 4.77 million tonnes in 2019, representing the lowest production level during the period. Production recovered significantly to 6.13 million tonnes in 2020, reaching the highest output recorded in the study period. Cotton production remained strong at 5.99 million tonnes in 2021 before declining to 5.72 million tonnes in 2022 and further decreasing to 5.53 million tonnes in 2023. The overall trend highlights India’s strong cotton production base with periodic fluctuations caused by changing agricultural conditions.
The dataset provides valuable insights into India’s cotton production trends, agricultural productivity, and textile supply chain development. It supports historical trend analysis, production benchmarking, market assessment, and forecasting of future cotton availability. Farmers, textile manufacturers, exporters, policymakers, investors, researchers, and industry stakeholders can use the dataset to evaluate production performance, identify growth opportunities, improve cultivation planning, and strengthen supply chain strategies. The data is also valuable for assessing India’s contribution to global cotton production, supporting agricultural innovation, improving productivity, and promoting sustainable development across the cotton and textile industries.
- Indicator
- Cotton Production
- Country
- India
- 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 India 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 India Cotton Production in 2023?
India Cotton Production was 5,529 Thousand Tonnes in 2023, down 3.4% on 2022.
How has India Cotton Production changed between 2015 and 2023?
India Cotton Production moved from 5,101 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 5,529 Thousand Tonnes in 2023 (+8.4%), an average of +1% a year. The series high was 6,131 Thousand Tonnes in 2020 and the low 4,767 Thousand Tonnes in 2019.
Which year had the highest and lowest India Cotton Production?
The highest value was 6,131 Thousand Tonnes in 2020 and the lowest was 4,767 Thousand Tonnes in 2019.
What does the India 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 India 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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