Fibre crop production refers to the annual agricultural production output of crops primarily cultivated for obtaining natural fibres used in textiles, ropes, paper, and other industrial applications.
South America Fibre Crop Production was 106.1 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, down 0% on 2023. South America's fibre crop production exhibited a stable growth trajectory between 2015 and 2024, reflecting the region's strong agricultural base, increasing cultivation efficiency, and expanding role in global natural fibre markets. Total production increased from 103.34 thousand tonnes in 2015 to 106.06 thousand tonnes in 2024, representing moderate but sustained growth over the decade.
South America Fibre Crop Production moved from 103.3 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 106.1 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (+2.6%), an average of +0.3% a year. The series high was 106.1 Thousand Tonnes in 2023 and the low 103.3 Thousand Tonnes in 2015.
The gap between the series high (2023) and low (2015) is 2.72 Thousand Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +1% in 2018.
Within South America, Brazil has the highest value in 2024 at 102.6 Thousand Tonnes, 96.7% of the regional total.
Country ranking
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By region
Thousand Tonnes, 2024. Each bar is that region's total.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 106.1 | 0% |
| 2023Peak | 106.1 | +0.7% |
| 2022 | 105.3 | +0.2% |
| 2021 | 105.1 | +0.5% |
| 2020 | 104.6 | +0.1% |
| 2019 | 104.5 | −0.5% |
| 2018 | 105 | +1% |
| 2017 | 103.9 | +0.3% |
| 2016 | 103.6 | +0.2% |
| 2015 Trough | 103.3 | — |
Data definition
Fibre Crop Production — Fibre crop production refers to the annual agricultural production output of crops primarily cultivated for obtaining natural fibres used in textiles, ropes, paper, and other industrial applications. The indicator measures the quantity of fibre crops produced within a country or region over a specified period, reported in tonnes or metric tons. It includes major fibre-producing crops such as cotton, jute, flax, hemp, sisal, and other plant-based fibres, with production statistics reflecting agricultural cultivation, harvesting, and output levels. The data represents country-level production trends and is compiled from international agricultural databases, including FAO and national agricultural reporting systems where available.
The indicator includes the production volume of agricultural fibre crops grown for commercial, industrial, and domestic fibre extraction purposes. It covers harvested quantities of natural fibre crops such as cotton, jute, flax, hemp, sisal, kenaf, and other similar crops classified under fibre crop production. The data includes production from both large-scale commercial farming and smallholder agricultural systems, capturing annual output changes, cultivation patterns, and regional variations in fibre crop supply.
The indicator excludes synthetic fibres derived from petrochemical or industrial processes, processed textile products, yarns, fabrics, and other manufactured fibre-based goods. It does not include fibre crops grown solely for non-fibre purposes, agricultural residues, waste materials, or secondary fibre recovery from recycled sources. The data also excludes downstream processing activities such as spinning, weaving, textile manufacturing, and trade activities, focusing only on primary agricultural production of fibre crops.
Fibre Crop Production — Fibre crop production refers to the annual agricultural production output of crops primarily cultivated for obtaining natural fibres used in textiles, ropes, paper, and other industrial applications. The indicator measures the quantity of fibre crops produced within a country or region over a specified period, reported in tonnes or metric tons. It includes major fibre-producing crops such as cotton, jute, flax, hemp, sisal, and other plant-based fibres, with production statistics reflecting agricultural cultivation, harvesting, and output levels. The data represents country-level production trends and is compiled from international agricultural databases, including FAO and national agricultural reporting systems where available.
Brazil remained the dominant contributor, accounting for the overwhelming majority of regional fibre crop output, while Argentina and Chile contributed comparatively smaller but stable production volumes. During the early years of the period, production increased steadily as improvements in farming practices, mechanization, and crop management enhanced agricultural productivity. A slight decline was observed in 2019 and 2020, when total output fell from 105.02 thousand tonnes to 104.53 thousand tonnes and 104.59 thousand tonnes, respectively. These fluctuations were likely influenced by adverse weather conditions, changing planting decisions, and global commodity market uncertainties. From 2021 onward, regional production recovered gradually, reaching 106.07 thousand tonnes in 2023 before remaining virtually unchanged at 106.06 thousand tonnes in 2024, indicating a period of production stability. The consistent performance highlights the resilience of South America's fibre crop sector despite climatic variability and evolving market conditions. Continued investments in high-yield crop varieties, precision agriculture, irrigation infrastructure, and sustainable farming practices have supported improvements in productivity across major producing areas. Growing international demand for natural fibres used in textiles, packaging, and industrial applications has also encouraged producers to maintain production levels while improving quality and efficiency. Fibre crop cultivation continues to provide significant economic benefits by supporting rural employment, strengthening agricultural exports, and supplying raw materials to domestic and international textile industries. Looking ahead, ongoing technological innovation, climate-resilient farming methods, and supportive agricultural policies are expected to enhance the region's long-term production capacity, ensuring South America remains an important supplier of natural fibre crops in the global agricultural market.
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Fibre crop production refers to the annual agricultural production output of crops primarily cultivated for obtaining natural fibres used in textiles, ropes, paper, and other industrial applications. The indicator measures the quantity of fibre crops produced within a country or region over a specified period, reported in tonnes or metric tons. It includes major fibre-producing crops such as cotton, jute, flax, hemp, sisal, and other plant-based fibres, with production statistics reflecting agricultural cultivation, harvesting, and output levels. The data represents country-level production trends and is compiled from international agricultural databases, including FAO and national agricultural reporting systems where available.
South America Fibre Crop Production was 106.1 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, down 0% on 2023.
South America Fibre Crop Production moved from 103.3 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 106.1 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (+2.6%), an average of +0.3% a year. The series high was 106.1 Thousand Tonnes in 2023 and the low 103.3 Thousand Tonnes in 2015.
The highest value was 106.1 Thousand Tonnes in 2023 and the lowest was 103.3 Thousand Tonnes in 2015.
Included: The indicator includes the production volume of agricultural fibre crops grown for commercial, industrial, and domestic fibre extraction purposes. It covers harvested quantities of natural fibre crops such as cotton, jute, flax, hemp, sisal, kenaf, and other similar crops classified under fibre crop production. The data includes production from both large-scale commercial farming and smallholder agricultural systems, capturing annual output changes, cultivation patterns, and regional variations in fibre crop supply. Excluded: The indicator excludes synthetic fibres derived from petrochemical or industrial processes, processed textile products, yarns, fabrics, and other manufactured fibre-based goods. It does not include fibre crops grown solely for non-fibre purposes, agricultural residues, waste materials, or secondary fibre recovery from recycled sources. The data also excludes downstream processing activities such as spinning, weaving, textile manufacturing, and trade activities, focusing only on primary agricultural production of fibre crops.
The series is sourced from Our World in Data (https://ourworldindata.org/explorers/global-food?tab=table&country=USA~DEU~GBR~ZAF%3BhideControls&Food=Fibre+crops&Metric=Production&Per+capita=false). It covers 2015–2024 and is reported in Thousand Tonnes.
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