– 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.
Nigeria Cotton Production was 99.20 Thousand Tonnes in 2023, down 4.6% on 2022. The Nigeria Cotton Production dataset provides a comprehensive assessment of the country’s cotton cultivation performance and agricultural output trends between 2015 and 2023.
Nigeria Cotton Production moved from 97.10 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 99.20 Thousand Tonnes in 2023 (+2.2%), an average of +0.3% a year. The series high was 104 Thousand Tonnes in 2022 and the low 44.00 Thousand Tonnes in 2019.
The gap between the series high (2022) and low (2019) is 60.00 Thousand Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +104.5% in 2020.
Among the 21 countries in this dataset, Nigeria ranks 11 for 2023, behind China (5,618 Thousand Tonnes) and India (5,529 Thousand Tonnes). It accounts for 0.4% of the global total in 2023.
Full series
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 | 99.20 | −4.6% |
| 2022Peak | 104 | +11.8% |
| 2021 | 93.00 | +3.3% |
| 2020 | 90.00 | +104.5% |
| 2019 Trough | 44.00 | −13.7% |
| 2018 | 51.00 | 0% |
| 2017 | 51.00 | −47.7% |
| 2016 | 97.60 | +0.5% |
| 2015 | 97.10 | — |
Regional context
Cotton Production by country, 2023, Thousand Tonnes. Nigeria 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 Thousand Tonnes, the dataset serves as an important benchmark for evaluating cotton farming activity, agricultural productivity, textile raw material availability, rural economic development, and the growth potential of Nigeria’s cotton sector. Based on the validated data, Nigeria’s cotton production experienced fluctuations throughout the study period, with a decline during the middle years followed by recovery and improved output in recent periods. Cotton production started at 97.10 thousand tonnes in 2015 and increased marginally to 97.60 thousand tonnes in 2016. Output declined significantly to 51.00 thousand tonnes in both 2017 and 2018, reflecting reduced production levels. Cotton production decreased further to 44.00 thousand tonnes in 2019 before recovering strongly to 90.00 thousand tonnes in 2020. Production continued to improve to 93.00 thousand tonnes in 2021 and reached a study-period high of 104.00 thousand tonnes in 2022. Output moderated slightly to 99.20 thousand tonnes in 2023 while remaining higher than the levels recorded during 2017–2019. The overall trend highlights Nigeria’s cotton production recovery and potential for strengthening domestic agricultural output.
The dataset provides valuable insights into Nigeria’s cotton production trends, agricultural performance, and supply chain development. It supports historical analysis, production benchmarking, market evaluation, and future forecasting of cotton availability. Farmers, textile manufacturers, policymakers, exporters, investors, researchers, and industry stakeholders can use the dataset to assess production trends, identify sector development opportunities, improve farming strategies, and support value chain expansion. The data also contributes to understanding Nigeria’s role in the African cotton market and supports initiatives focused on agricultural modernization, rural development, productivity enhancement, and sustainable growth within the cotton and textile industries.
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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).
Nigeria Cotton Production was 99.20 Thousand Tonnes in 2023, down 4.6% on 2022.
Nigeria Cotton Production moved from 97.10 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 99.20 Thousand Tonnes in 2023 (+2.2%), an average of +0.3% a year. The series high was 104 Thousand Tonnes in 2022 and the low 44.00 Thousand Tonnes in 2019.
The highest value was 104 Thousand Tonnes in 2022 and the lowest was 44.00 Thousand Tonnes in 2019.
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.
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