Global cotton production reached 24.9 million metric tons in 2021.

Cotton is a plantation commodity that produces fiber for the raw materials of the textile and textile product industries. Globally, the cotton industry is rapidly growing in line with the increasing population.

According to a report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), global cotton production amounted to 24.9 million metric tons in 2021. This figure is down 2.4% compared to the average production from 2018-2020, which was 25.5 million metric tons. In 2030, global cotton production is projected to grow to 28.4 million metric tons.

In terms of plantation area, the global cotton plantation area was 31.7 million hectares in 2021. This area decreased by 3.35% from the average area from 2018-2020, which was 32.8 million hectares. The cotton plantation area is projected to reach 33.2 million hectares in 2030.

Factory consumption of cotton was recorded at 24.8 million metric tons in 2021, an increase of 2.06% from the average for 2018-2020, which was 24.3 million metric tons. Meanwhile, the amount of cotton exported was 9.5 million metric tons in 2021, up 4.4% from the 2018-2020 average.

Cotton is mostly produced in developing countries. OECD data shows that cotton production in developing countries amounted to 19.1 million metric tons in 2021. Meanwhile, in developed countries, it amounted to 5.9 million metric tons.

(Read More: India Dominates Global Cotton Production in 2020)