Cotton is acquired from the plant as a cotton boll. It is the fruit of the cotton plant and contains seeds covered by white fibers known as lint. Cotton fibers are used in clothing and allied industries, and cottonseed is used for oil extraction, cattle feed, and many other uses.
Cotton is a cash crop because it is an easy-selling commodity produced mainly for trade rather than consumption, unlike staple crops. This makes its production both important and economically viable.
In the 2025/2026 marketing year (MY), global cotton production is 121.97 million bales, each weighing 480 lb. Highlighting cotton production by country for the 12-month period from August 2025 to July 2026, the article also shows each nation’s yield and production performance based on previous output data and the last 10-year production average.
Here are the major cotton-producing countries:
Cotton production by country (MY 2025-2026), USDA
| Country | Total Production (480 lb. Bales) | Share in Global Production (%) |
|---|---|---|
 China | 35.8 Million | 29% |
 India | 23.8 Million | 20% |
 Brazil | 18.75 Million | 15% |
 United States | 13.9 Million | 11% |
 Pakistan | 5.3 Million | 4% |
 Australia | 4.5 Million | 4% |
 Uzbekistan | 3.45 Million | 3% |
 Turkey | 3.05 Million | 3% |
 European Union | 1.23 Million | 1% |
 Benin | 1.15 Million | 0.94% |
1. China
China has the world's largest cotton production in the 2025/2026 marketing year, from August 2025 to July 2026. The country produced 35.8 million bales of cotton. USDA standardized one bale as 480 pounds (217.7 Kg). China’s output accounted for 29% of global production.
- Production (MY 2024/25): 32 million bales
- Year-over-year change: 12%
- 10-Year production average (MY 2016-2025): 28.46 million bales
- Yield (MY 2025/26): 2556 kilograms per hectare
2. India
According to USDA data on cotton production, India logged an output of 23.8 million bales for MY 2025/2026 (August 2025-July 2026). India accounts for a massive 20% of global cotton production.
- Production (MY 2024/25): 24 million bales
- Year-over-year change: -0.83%
- 10-Year production average (MY 2016-2025): 26.18 million bales
- Yield (MY 2025/26): 463 kilograms per hectare
3. Brazil
Throughout the 2025/2026 marketing year (August 2025-July 2026), Brazil generated 18.75 million bales of cotton. The country’s production contributed 15% of the world’s cotton output.
- Production (MY 2024/25): 17 million bales
- Year-over-year change: 10%
- 10-Year production average (MY 2016-2025): 12.18 million bales
- Yield (MY 2025/26): 1953 kilograms per hectare
4. United States
The U.S. accounts for 11% of global cotton production by country. The nation tallied production at 13.9 million bales in MY 2025/26 (August 2025-July 2026).
- Production (MY 2024/25): 14.41 million bales
- Year-over-year change: -4%
- 10-Year production average (MY 2016-2025): 16.33 million bales
- Yield (MY 2025/26): 955 kilograms per hectare
5. Pakistan
For MY 2025/26 (August 2025-July 2026), this major cotton-producing country generated 5.3 million bales. Pakistan’s harvest accounts for a solid 4% of the international cotton production.
- Production (MY 2024/25): 5 million bales
- Year-over-year change: 6%
- 10-Year production average (MY 2016-2025): 6.14 million bales
- Yield (MY 2025/26): 577 kilograms per hectare
6. Australia
USDA’s analysis for cotton production in MY 2025/26 (August 2025-July 2026) shows that Australia harvested 4.5 million bales. The leading cotton-producing country’s output for the year represented 4% of the world’s cotton production.
- Production (MY 2024/25): 5.6 million bales
- Year-over-change: -20%
- 10-Year production average (MY 2016-2025): 4.12 million bales
- Yield (MY 2025/26): 2085 kilograms per hectare
7. Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan’s cotton production was estimated at 3.45 million bales for MY 2025/26 (August 2025-July 26). The doubly landlocked nation claimed a 3% share in global cotton output for the respective year.
- Production (MY 2024/25): 3 million bales
- Year-over-year change: 15%
- 10-Year production average (MY 2016-2025): 3.26 million bales
- Yield (MY 2025/26): 857 kilograms per hectare
8. Turkey
Turkey's total cotton production in MY 2025/2026 (August 2025-July 2026) holds a decent 3% global share. This amounts to 3.05 million cotton bales, making it one of the world's largest cotton producers.
- Production (MY 2024/25): 3.95 million bales
- Year-over-year change: -23%
- 10-Year production average (MY 2016-2025): 3.62 million bales
- Yield (MY 2025/26): 1683 kilograms per hectare
9. European Union
The European Union recorded its total cotton production at 1.23 million bales in MY 2025/26. This total harvest by the EU is said to be 1% of global cotton produced for the same year.
- Production (MY 2024/25): 1.3 million bales
- Year-over-year change: -5%
- 10-Year production average (MY 2016-2025): 1.52 million bales
- Yield (MY 2025/26): 3020 kilograms per hectare
10. Benin
Benin achieved a production of 1.15 million bales in MY 2025/2026 (August 2025-July 2026). Although it is a major cotton-producing country in Africa, it contributes only 0.94% globally.
- Production (MY 2024/25): 1.2 million bales
- Year-over-year change: -4%
- 10-Year production average (MY 2016-2025): 1.23 million bales
- Yield (MY 2025/26): 491 kilograms per hectare
