The Top 10 Cotton-Producing Countries in the World

Cotton has revolutionized the world and it has become one of the most important staples. It is a fluffy fiber plant that can be turned into all types of fabric. Cotton originates in tropical or subtropical areas throughout the world, which includes North and South America, Asia, and Africa. Cotton was used as fabric as far back as 4200 B.C. in Peru. Now, the uses in fabric are broad and it’s a plant that is heavily distributed throughout the world. Overall, about 25 million metric tons of cotton are produced every year.

Let’s explore the top 10 cotton-producing countries. These countries are diverse and located all over the world.

1. China

China has produced cotton since it was first discovered in the region of what is now Yunnan in 200 B.C. Today, China leads the world in cotton production. The Xinjiang region, as well as the Yangtze River region and the Huang-Huai region, are where China produces most of its cotton.  There has been a shift in historical producing regions in China that has paved the way for the Xinjiang region to be the dominant force in cotton production. The US has recently banned imports of cotton from the Xinjiang region that uses forced labor, which means that most cotton produced in Xinjiang is banned.

2. India

The country of India is a leading cotton producer in the world. About 6 million farmers and a whopping 50 million people rely on cotton production for their livelihood. It is an industry that has risen dramatically in the last few decades thanks to machinery and technological advancements. There has been a worry in recent months because cotton production in the past year has taken a nosedive in India as the pink bollworm ravages through the crop. They have not had much luck eliminating the pest, but hopefully, they can control the pink bollworm infestation soon.

3. United States

The US is the largest exporter of cotton in the entire world, however, it ranks third in cotton production. The United States exports its cotton mainly to Honduras and Mexico, among other countries. Most of the cotton produced is concentrated in the southern states of the country, mainly California, Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Arizona. Cotton has a dark history in the US as white slave owners in the South used black slaves to pick cotton. 

4. Brazil

Over the past few decades, Brazil has steadily increased cotton production. The amount of rainfall in Brazil made the country a leading agricultural producer including cotton. Over 92% of the South American country’s cotton production is grown with rainwater. The big reason for their drastic increase in production of cotton and other crops is because of that rainfall, farmers can double crop. When one is ready to be harvested, another is planted immediately. Brazil is now the second-largest exporter of the cash crop. 

5. Australia

The Murray-Darling basin, located in the southeastern area of Australia, is a dominant force in the country’s cotton production. They churn out over 90% of Australia’s cotton production, with 60% being produced in New South Wales. Historically, cotton has been one of the leading crops in the Oceanic nation. In recent years, the nation’s production has declined, but it is expected to have a rebound. Australia’s growing season usually starts in the autumn and harvesting is in the springtime.

6. Turkey

Over 60% of Turkey’s cotton production is farmed in the southeastern Anatolia region of the country. It is known worldwide as pristine organic cotton. The country has steadily increased production in recent years, becoming a more important cash crop for the country. Turkey is also on the list of top 10 cotton exporters in the world because of its vast agricultural land available to farm.

7. Pakistan

Cotton production is an important part of Pakistan’s economy, being one of the major crops Pakistan produces. About 99% of cotton production is harvested in the Punjab and Sindh regions of the country. Historically, it is evidenced that cotton was discovered as early as 6000 B.C. in the country. Since then, it has emerged as a leading country in production where they grow the crop in its monsoon season between May and August.

8. Uzbekistan

Located in central Asia, Uzbekistan is a major producer of cotton and the crop is extremely important to the country’s economy. Human rights activists have protested Uzbek cotton production in the past decade because of the country’s use of forced labor. Recent governmental reforms have led to activists stopping the protests and calling off boycotts. Cotton used to be state-regulated until that was abolished and the market was liberalized in 2020.

9. Argentina

One of only two South American countries on the list, Argentina is one of the leading producers of cotton and the country heavily relies on the crop as an economic driver. The 20th century was a major turning point for Argentina and its increased production of the crop. Cotton production is mainly concentrated in the northern regions of the country with the Santiago del Estero and Chaco provinces being the top producers in the country.

10. Mali

Mali has emerged as the leading producer of cotton in Africa. It rivals other nations on the continent and comes up on top. Because over 4 million people rely on cotton for their livelihood, it has been revealed that cotton has become an important crop in the country. The government is one of the leading reasons why farmers have increased production as they set out these targets. Most of the organic cotton grown in Mali is concentrated in the Koutiala and Bougouni districts of Mali’s Sikasso region.

Conclusion

And there you have it, the top 10 cotton-producing countries. Each one is unique in where they are in the world. They come from South America, Oceania, North America, Asia, and Africa, with each country experiencing different climates and different geographies.

If you find yourself visiting any of these countries, it would be cool to visit cotton fields. You can also visit a cotton factory to see how people make cotton into fabric. The way machinery has revolutionized the way cotton is spun into fabric is interesting, as well. And the next time you buy a sweater or pants or even socks, just think that was made out of a fluffy, plant fiber.

The Top 10 Cotton-Producing Countries in the World