The Top 10 Cotton-Producing Countries in the World

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