– 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.
South Africa Cotton Production was 16.04 Thousand Tonnes in 2023, up 14.7% on 2022. The South Africa Cotton Production dataset provides a comprehensive assessment of the country’s cotton cultivation performance and agricultural output trends between 2015 and 2023.
South Africa Cotton Production moved from 18.78 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 16.04 Thousand Tonnes in 2023 (−14.6%), an average of −2% a year. The series high was 28.80 Thousand Tonnes in 2018 and the low 10.09 Thousand Tonnes in 2016.
The gap between the series high (2018) and low (2016) is 18.71 Thousand Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +85.6% in 2018.
Among the 21 countries in this dataset, South Africa ranks 15 for 2023, behind China (5,618 Thousand Tonnes) and India (5,529 Thousand Tonnes). It accounts for 0.1% 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 | 16.04 | +14.7% |
| 2022 | 13.99 | −8% |
| 2021 | 15.20 | −43.4% |
| 2020 | 26.85 | +11.9% |
| 2019 | 24.00 | −16.7% |
| 2018Peak | 28.80 | +85.6% |
| 2017 | 15.52 | +53.8% |
| 2016 Trough | 10.09 | −46.3% |
| 2015 | 18.78 | — |
Regional context
Cotton Production by country, 2023, Thousand Tonnes. South Africa 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 agricultural development, and the performance of South Africa’s cotton sector. Based on the validated data, South Africa’s cotton production experienced fluctuations throughout the study period, with production recovering after initial declines and maintaining moderate output levels. Cotton production started at 18.78 thousand tonnes in 2015 and declined significantly to 10.09 thousand tonnes in 2016. Output recovered to 15.52 thousand tonnes in 2017 and increased further to 28.80 thousand tonnes in 2018, representing the highest production level during the period. Production decreased slightly to 24.00 thousand tonnes in 2019 before increasing to 26.85 thousand tonnes in 2020. Cotton output declined to 15.20 thousand tonnes in 2021 and further reduced to 13.99 thousand tonnes in 2022. Production recovered moderately to 16.04 thousand tonnes in 2023, indicating gradual stabilization after recent declines. The overall trend highlights variability in South Africa’s cotton production capacity and the influence of changing agricultural conditions on output levels.
The dataset provides valuable insights into South Africa’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 utilize the dataset to assess production performance, identify cultivation challenges, evaluate market opportunities, and develop strategies for improving productivity. The data also supports analysis of South Africa’s role in the regional cotton industry, agricultural innovation, sustainable farming practices, and long-term development opportunities across the cotton and textile value chain.
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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).
South Africa Cotton Production was 16.04 Thousand Tonnes in 2023, up 14.7% on 2022.
South Africa Cotton Production moved from 18.78 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 16.04 Thousand Tonnes in 2023 (−14.6%), an average of −2% a year. The series high was 28.80 Thousand Tonnes in 2018 and the low 10.09 Thousand Tonnes in 2016.
The highest value was 28.80 Thousand Tonnes in 2018 and the lowest was 10.09 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.
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