Top Seed Cotton Producing Countries

Seed cotton, the raw, unprocessed form of cotton harvested from the plant, is a vital agricultural commodity with deep historical roots. The top countries farming seed cotton today are India, China, the United States, Pakistan, and Brazil, which together account for the majority of global production. Cotton cultivation began independently in several ancient civilizations: archaeological evidence shows cotton was grown in the Indus Valley (present-day Pakistan and northwest India) around 5,000 BCE, in ancient Peru, and in Africa. Over centuries, cotton farming spread through trade routes to Egypt, the Middle East, and eventually Europe. The invention of the cotton gin in the late 18th century revolutionized cotton processing, making large-scale farming more profitable, especially in the American South. Today, advances in irrigation, pest control, and genetically modified varieties have further boosted yields, making seed cotton a cornerstone of the textile industry and rural economies in many countries.

Data from United Nations FAO Stat