Thumbnail Image

Recent trends and prospects in the world cotton market and policy developments

Executive summary









Last updated date 26/10/2021, see corrigendum




Also available in:

Related items

Showing items related by metadata.

  • Thumbnail Image
    Book (stand-alone)
    Recent trends and prospects in the world cotton market and policy developments 2021
    Also available in:

    The cotton sector contributes significantly to the economies of a number of developing countries, as well as to the livelihoods of millions of rural smallholders worldwide. In 2019, world production of cotton was valued at about USD 46 billion, while global trade reached USD 15 billion. Moreover, the cotton industry employs an estimated 150 million people across 75 countries, making the cotton sector an important contributor to the achievements of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Understanding the drivers of the cotton market and identifying the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead is key, given the socio-economic significance of the sector. The mobilisation of innovative technologies and resources is vital to ensure that the sector remains viable and sustainable. As FAO Director-General QU Dongyu highlighted during the World Cotton Day event held at the WTO headquarters in October 2019, it is critical that the sector meets the highest standards of sustainability at all stages of the value chain. It is time to do things differently: to explore innovative approaches and new ideas aimed at pro-poor outcomes.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Policy brief
    Recent trends and prospects in the world cotton market and policy developments 2021
    This policy brief provides an overview of the key market, trade and policy drivers shaping the international cotton market, including developments prospects and challenges for the sector.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Policy brief
    Developments and prospects in the international cotton market 2023
    Cotton is a key driver of economic growth, sustaining millions of farmers and families across 80 countries in five continents. It also represents an important source of foreign exchange for a number of low- and middle-income countries. World cotton trade began to trend upwards in the early 2000s with the implementation of the commitments undertaken at the Uruguay Round of the World Trade Organization (WTO), and is projected to expand steadily over the next decade. Such expansion is expected to be affected by a number of challenges and uncertainties, including income and population growth, policy measures affecting the production and consumption of cotton, the adoption of sustainability standards in supply chain, trade developments and geopolitical tensions. This policy brief provides an overview of recent developments in the cotton market at national and international levels, and discusses projections and challenges for the world cotton trade over the next decade.

Users also downloaded

Showing related downloaded files

No results found.