Top Cottonseed Oil Producing Countries

Cottonseed oil, extracted from the seeds of cotton plants, is a significant edible oil globally, with top producers including India, China, the United States, Pakistan, and Brazil. The history of cottonseed oil production traces back to the 19th century, when technological advancements in oil extraction made it possible to utilize the byproduct of the booming cotton industry. In the United States, the invention of efficient cottonseed oil presses and refining methods in the late 1800s transformed what was once considered waste into a valuable commodity, leading to its widespread use in cooking and food manufacturing. Over time, other major cotton-growing countries, particularly in Asia, adopted similar production techniques, and today, India and China lead global output due to their vast cotton industries and large populations. The evolution of cottonseed oil production reflects broader trends in agricultural innovation, industrialization, and the utilization of crop byproducts to meet growing food demands worldwide.

RankCountryMetric Tonnes
1India1,259,400
2China1,258,700
3Pakistan280,800
4Brazil270,604
5United States of America188,000
6Uzbekistan179,552
7Turkey173,500
8Mali59,900
9Mexico57,800
10Turkmenistan40,294
11Benin34,400
12Cameroon34,100
13Tanzania30,300
14South Korea27,200
15Italy24,400
16Greece23,800
17Argentina20,361
18Myanmar19,600
19Sudan17,300
20Saudi Arabia16,575
21Kazakhstan14,994
22Tajikistan14,710
23South Africa14,600
24Cote d Ivoire14,500
25Egypt14,000
26Spain13,100
27Chad11,200
28Zimbabwe11,000
29Uganda10,400
30Nigeria10,000
31Australia9,400
32Togo9,200
33Ethiopia8,900
34Afghanistan8,349
35Burkina Faso8,000
36Bangladesh6,880
37Iran6,300
38Mozambique5,600
39Zambia4,800
40Japan4,627
41.5Malawi4,400
41.5Peru4,400
43North Korea4,191
44Kyrgyzstan3,510
45Syria3,100
46Senegal2,200
47.5Israel2,000
47.5Paraguay2,000
49Morocco1,440
50Yemen1,113
51Madagascar1,004

Data from United Nations FAO Stat