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Cotton Industry Statistics

Cotton production, trade, and sustainability trends show steady global demand growth ahead.

Cotton is still the world’s most widely used natural fiber, and with 2024/25 projected production of 25.26 million metric tons alongside consumption of 25.44 million metric tons, this is a pivotal moment to explore how India, China, Brazil, the United States, Pakistan, Turkey, and Australia are shaping the global cotton industry from farms and yields to trade, stocks, and sustainability.

Florian FelsingWritten byFlorian FelsingCTO, Rawshot.ai
UpdatedApril 19, 2026Read13 minSources45 verified

Executive Summary

Key Takeaways

Research reviewed

Cotton production, trade, and sustainability trends show steady global demand growth ahead.

  • World cotton production in 2024/25 is projected at 25.26 million metric tons

  • India produced about 5.32 million metric tons of cotton in 2023/24

  • China produced about 5.98 million metric tons of cotton in 2023/24

  • The global cotton market was valued at USD 41.06 billion in 2024

  • The global cotton market is projected to grow from USD 43.01 billion in 2025 to USD 53.13 billion by 2032

  • The cotton market is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 3.07% during 2025–2032

  • Cotton can account for as much as 91% of the water footprint of a pair of jeans

  • It takes 10,000 liters of water to produce 1 kilogram of cotton

  • Cotton is grown on 2.5% of the world’s arable land

  • Global cotton exports in 2023/24 are estimated at 41.6 million 480-lb bales

  • Global cotton imports in 2023/24 are estimated at 41.6 million 480-lb bales

  • World cotton mill use in 2023/24 is estimated at 111.0 million 480-lb bales

  • The global apparel market was worth about $1.3 trillion in 2022

  • The garment industry employs 75 million people worldwide

  • Women account for 65% of the global garment workforce

Section 01

Consumption

  1. The global apparel market was worth about $1.3 trillion in 2022 [1]

  2. The garment industry employs 75 million people worldwide [1]

  3. Women account for 65% of the global garment workforce [1]

  4. Global fiber production reached 124 million tonnes in 2023 [2]

  5. Cotton fiber production represented 20% of global fiber production in 2023 [2]

  6. Global cellulosic fiber production represented 6% of total fiber production in 2023 [2]

  7. Synthetic fibers represented 67% of global fiber production in 2023 [2]

  8. Polyester made up 57% of global fiber production in 2023 [2]

  9. The global denim jeans market size was valued at USD 84.16 billion in 2023 [3]

  10. The global denim jeans market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.8% from 2024 to 2030 [3]

  11. The global T-shirts market size was valued at USD 45.52 billion in 2023 [4]

  12. The global T-shirts market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.3% from 2024 to 2030 [4]

  13. The global bed linen market size was valued at USD 39.17 billion in 2023 [5]

  14. The global bed linen market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.4% from 2024 to 2030 [5]

  15. The global bath towels market size was valued at USD 5.85 billion in 2023 [6]

  16. The global bath towels market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.9% from 2024 to 2030 [6]

  17. The global baby clothes market size was valued at USD 67.47 billion in 2023 [7]

  18. The global baby clothes market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.8% from 2024 to 2030 [7]

  19. The global socks market size was valued at USD 54.56 billion in 2023 [8]

  20. The global socks market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.3% from 2024 to 2030 [8]

  21. The global underwear market size was valued at USD 91.74 billion in 2023 [9]

  22. The global underwear market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.5% from 2024 to 2030 [9]

  23. The global activewear market size was valued at USD 398.28 billion in 2023 [10]

  24. The global activewear market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.3% from 2024 to 2030 [10]

  25. The global men’s shirts market size was valued at USD 58.66 billion in 2023 [11]

  26. The global men’s shirts market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.6% from 2024 to 2030 [11]

  27. The global women’s tops market size was valued at USD 193.92 billion in 2023 [12]

  28. The global women’s tops market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.6% from 2024 to 2030 [12]

  29. The global casual wear market size was valued at USD 126.16 billion in 2023 [13]

  30. The global casual wear market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.7% from 2024 to 2030 [13]

  31. The global women’s sleepwear market size was valued at USD 12.34 billion in 2023 [14]

  32. The global women’s sleepwear market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.4% from 2024 to 2030 [14]

  33. The global workwear market size was valued at USD 18.69 billion in 2023 [15]

  34. The global workwear market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.3% from 2024 to 2030 [15]

Section 02

Market

  1. The global cotton market was valued at USD 41.06 billion in 2024 [16]

  2. The global cotton market is projected to grow from USD 43.01 billion in 2025 to USD 53.13 billion by 2032 [16]

  3. The cotton market is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 3.07% during 2025–2032 [16]

  4. The Asia Pacific cotton market share stood at 56.16% in 2024 [16]

  5. The global organic cotton market size was valued at USD 1.31 billion in 2023 [17]

  6. The global organic cotton market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 44.4% from 2024 to 2030 [17]

  7. The global cottonseed oil market size was valued at USD 5.13 billion in 2023 [18]

  8. The global cottonseed oil market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.9% from 2024 to 2030 [18]

  9. The global cotton yarn market size was valued at USD 74.78 billion in 2023 [19]

  10. The global cotton yarn market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.3% from 2024 to 2030 [19]

  11. The global cotton ginning machinery market size was valued at USD 3.14 billion in 2023 [20]

  12. The global cotton ginning machinery market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.4% from 2024 to 2030 [20]

  13. The global cotton harvesting machine market size was valued at USD 15.04 billion in 2024 [21]

  14. The global cotton harvesting machine market is projected to reach USD 26.11 billion by 2034 [21]

  15. The global cotton harvesting machine market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 5.68% from 2025 to 2034 [21]

  16. The global technical textiles market was valued at USD 213.8 billion in 2023 [22]

  17. The global technical textiles market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.4% from 2024 to 2030 [22]

  18. U.S. cotton and cotton product exports were valued at more than $8.2 billion in 2023 [23]

  19. Cotton accounts for about 25% of all fibers used in textiles worldwide [24]

  20. The global textile market size was valued at USD 1,837.27 billion in 2023 [25]

  21. The global textile market is projected to reach USD 3,670.31 billion by 2034 [25]

  22. The global textile market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.5% from 2024 to 2034 [25]

  23. The apparel market revenue worldwide amounted to USD 1.79 trillion in 2024 [26]

  24. The apparel market is expected to grow annually by 2.81% from 2024 to 2029 [26]

  25. The global home textiles market size was valued at USD 133.03 billion in 2023 [27]

  26. The global home textiles market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.3% from 2024 to 2030 [27]

Section 03

Production

  1. World cotton production in 2024/25 is projected at 25.26 million metric tons [28]

  2. India produced about 5.32 million metric tons of cotton in 2023/24 [28]

  3. China produced about 5.98 million metric tons of cotton in 2023/24 [28]

  4. Brazil produced about 3.7 million metric tons of cotton in 2023/24 [28]

  5. The United States produced about 2.59 million metric tons of cotton in 2023/24 [28]

  6. Pakistan produced about 1.19 million metric tons of cotton in 2023/24 [28]

  7. Turkey produced about 827 thousand metric tons of cotton in 2023/24 [28]

  8. Australia produced about 1.1 million metric tons of cotton in 2023/24 [28]

  9. World cotton ending stocks in 2024/25 are projected at 16.88 million metric tons [29]

  10. World cotton consumption in 2024/25 is projected at 25.44 million metric tons [30]

  11. Global cotton exports in 2024/25 are projected at 9.94 million metric tons [31]

  12. Global cotton imports in 2024/25 are projected at 9.94 million metric tons [32]

  13. India had 11.4 million hectares of cotton harvested area in 2023/24 [33]

  14. China had 3.0 million hectares of cotton harvested area in 2023/24 [33]

  15. The United States had 3.2 million hectares of cotton harvested area in 2023/24 [33]

  16. Pakistan had 2.0 million hectares of cotton harvested area in 2023/24 [33]

  17. Brazil had 1.9 million hectares of cotton harvested area in 2023/24 [33]

  18. Turkey had 0.53 million hectares of cotton harvested area in 2023/24 [33]

  19. Cotton lint yield in Australia was about 1,713 kilograms per hectare in 2023/24 [34]

  20. Cotton lint yield in China was about 1,993 kilograms per hectare in 2023/24 [34]

  21. Cotton lint yield in Brazil was about 1,951 kilograms per hectare in 2023/24 [34]

  22. Cotton lint yield in the United States was about 809 kilograms per hectare in 2023/24 [34]

  23. Cotton lint yield in India was about 467 kilograms per hectare in 2023/24 [34]

  24. Cotton lint yield in Pakistan was about 593 kilograms per hectare in 2023/24 [34]

  25. World cotton production in 2023/24 was about 24.47 million metric tons [35]

  26. World cotton consumption in 2023/24 was about 24.15 million metric tons [30]

  27. World cotton ending stocks in 2023/24 were about 16.98 million metric tons [29]

  28. World cotton imports in 2023/24 were about 9.06 million metric tons [32]

  29. World cotton exports in 2023/24 were about 9.06 million metric tons [31]

  30. Global cotton production in 2022/23 was about 24.88 million metric tons [35]

Section 04

Sustainability

  1. Cotton can account for as much as 91% of the water footprint of a pair of jeans [36]

  2. It takes 10,000 liters of water to produce 1 kilogram of cotton [37]

  3. Cotton is grown on 2.5% of the world’s arable land [24]

  4. Cotton production uses 6% of the world’s pesticides [24]

  5. Cotton production uses 16% of the world’s insecticides [24]

  6. The water footprint of a 250-gram cotton T-shirt is about 2,700 liters [36]

  7. The water footprint of a pair of jeans is about 11,000 liters [36]

  8. Organic cotton farming can use 91% less water than conventional cotton farming [2]

  9. Organic cotton can produce 46% less CO2e than conventional cotton [2]

  10. Organic cotton can have a 62% lower primary energy demand than conventional cotton [2]

  11. More than 99% of all cotton farmers are in developing countries [38]

  12. Cotton supports the livelihoods of 350 million people [38]

  13. Better Cotton farmers produced 5.47 million metric tons of Better Cotton in the 2022/23 season [38]

  14. Better Cotton farmers represented 22% of global cotton production in the 2022/23 season [38]

  15. Better Cotton licensed 2.13 million farmers in the 2022/23 season [38]

  16. Better Cotton reached 2.99 million farmers in the 2022/23 season [38]

  17. Organic cotton represented 1.4% of global cotton production in 2021/22 [2]

  18. Global organic cotton production reached 342,265 metric tons in 2021/22 [2]

  19. Textile Exchange’s preferred fiber and materials market report found organic cotton production increased 56% in 2021/22 [2]

  20. Recycled cotton accounted for 7.9% of the global cotton fiber market in 2022 [39]

  21. Recycled cotton production increased 3% in 2022 [39]

  22. Less than 1% of material used to produce clothing is recycled into new clothing [40]

  23. The fashion industry produces 92 million tonnes of textile waste annually [41]

  24. The fashion industry is responsible for 10% of annual global carbon emissions [41]

  25. Cotton cultivation in India consumed about 23% of all pesticides used in the country [24]

  26. Nearly half of all textiles are made of cotton [24]

  27. Conventional cotton can require more than 20,000 liters of water to produce 1 kilogram in some areas [24]

  28. Cotton cultivation occupies around 33 million hectares globally [38]

  29. Cotton is produced in more than 80 countries [38]

Section 05

Trade

  1. Global cotton exports in 2023/24 are estimated at 41.6 million 480-lb bales [42]

  2. Global cotton imports in 2023/24 are estimated at 41.6 million 480-lb bales [42]

  3. World cotton mill use in 2023/24 is estimated at 111.0 million 480-lb bales [42]

  4. World cotton production in 2023/24 is estimated at 112.4 million 480-lb bales [42]

  5. World cotton ending stocks in 2023/24 are estimated at 78.0 million 480-lb bales [42]

  6. China accounted for 27% of global cotton imports in 2023/24 [42]

  7. Bangladesh accounted for 19% of global cotton imports in 2023/24 [42]

  8. Vietnam accounted for 18% of global cotton imports in 2023/24 [42]

  9. Pakistan accounted for 11% of global cotton imports in 2023/24 [42]

  10. The United States accounted for 29% of global cotton exports in 2023/24 [42]

  11. Brazil accounted for 17% of global cotton exports in 2023/24 [42]

  12. Australia accounted for 13% of global cotton exports in 2023/24 [42]

  13. India accounted for 10% of global cotton exports in 2023/24 [42]

  14. Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for 14% of world cotton exports in 2023/24 [42]

  15. U.S. cotton exports for 2024/25 are projected at 11.0 million bales [43]

  16. U.S. cotton mill use for 2024/25 is projected at 1.7 million bales [43]

  17. U.S. cotton ending stocks for 2024/25 are projected at 4.9 million bales [43]

  18. U.S. cotton production for 2024/25 is projected at 14.4 million bales [43]

  19. U.S. cotton harvested area for 2024/25 is projected at 8.22 million acres [43]

  20. U.S. cotton yield for 2024/25 is projected at 841 pounds per harvested acre [43]

  21. U.S. upland cotton farm price for 2024/25 is projected at 66 cents per pound [43]

  22. U.S. cotton exports in 2023/24 were 12.4 million bales [43]

  23. U.S. cotton production in 2023/24 was 12.1 million bales [43]

  24. U.S. cotton ending stocks in 2023/24 were 2.4 million bales [43]

  25. The Cotlook A Index averaged 96 cents per pound in 2022/23 [44]

  26. The Cotlook A Index averaged 87 cents per pound in 2023/24 [44]

  27. World cotton trade is forecast at 43.6 million bales in 2024/25 [44]

  28. World cotton production is forecast at 119.4 million bales in 2024/25 [44]

  29. World cotton consumption is forecast at 117.8 million bales in 2024/25 [44]

  30. Global cotton stocks are forecast at 74.4 million bales in 2024/25 [44]

  31. India’s cotton area is forecast at 11.4 million hectares in 2024/25 [44]

  32. China’s cotton area is forecast at 2.9 million hectares in 2024/25 [44]

  33. The U.S. average cotton yield was 899 pounds per harvested acre in 2023 [45]

  34. U.S. all cotton production totaled 12.1 million 480-pound bales in 2023 [45]

References

Footnotes

  1. 1
    worldbank.org
    worldbank.org
  2. 2
    textileexchange.org
    textileexchange.org×2
  3. 3
    grandviewresearch.com
    grandviewresearch.com×19
  4. 16
    fortunebusinessinsights.com
    fortunebusinessinsights.com
  5. 21
    precedenceresearch.com
    precedenceresearch.com×2
  6. 23
    fas.usda.gov
    fas.usda.gov
  7. 24
    worldwildlife.org
    worldwildlife.org
  8. 26
    statista.com
    statista.com×9
  9. 36
    waterfootprint.org
    waterfootprint.org
  10. 37
    wwf.panda.org
    wwf.panda.org
  11. 38
    bettercotton.org
    bettercotton.org
  12. 40
    ellenmacarthurfoundation.org
    ellenmacarthurfoundation.org
  13. 41
    earth.org
    earth.org
  14. 42
    ers.usda.gov
    ers.usda.gov×2
  15. 44
    icac.org
    icac.org
  16. 45
    nass.usda.gov
    nass.usda.gov

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