China and India lead in global cotton production

China and India dominate the global cotton market, with China producing 6,684 thousand metric tons and India 5,661 thousand metric tons during the 2021/2022 season. Together, they account for approximately 45% of the cotton production among the top ten producing countries listed.

Top four countries contribute significantly to global cotton output

The top four countries, including the United States and Brazil, collectively generate 17,557 thousand metric tons of cotton. This amount signifies over 75% of the production from the top ten countries, highlighting the concentrated nature of cotton production.

Australia stands out among smaller producers

Australia, with its production of 1,263 thousand metric tons, leads the lower half of the top ten producers, producing significantly more cotton than Turkey, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Argentina, and Mali. Its output is more than double that of Argentina and nearly eight times that of Mali.

Disparity in production volumes among top producers

A sharp disparity exists between the highest and lowest producers within the top ten, with China producing over 41 times the amount of cotton as Mali. The range from the highest to the lowest producer underscores the vast differences in cotton production capabilities and scales across countries.

Significant drop from top to bottom producers

Production figures show a substantial decrease from the top producer, China, to the tenth, Mali, with a decrease in production from 6,684 to 160 thousand metric tons. This steep decline illustrates the varied levels of cotton production across different countries, reflecting differences in agricultural infrastructure, climate, and economic focus.

Middle-ranked countries show close production figures

Countries ranked from fifth to ninth (Australia, Turkey, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, and Argentina) demonstrate relatively close production figures, ranging from 245 to 1,263 thousand metric tons. This clustering indicates a middle tier of cotton-producing countries with moderate production volumes compared to the top and bottom producers.