Learn about 15 Largest Importers of Egyptian Cotton

Up to 15 Asian and European countries have imported lint-seed cotton since September 1, 2024, over a six-month period, totaling 23.6 thousand tons, valued at approximately $79 million.

A report issued by the Alexandria Cotton Exporters Association revealed that India ranked first, by far, with 14 thousand tons of shipments, followed by its neighbor Pakistan with approximately 3.8 thousand tons.

The report added that China ranked third with 1.9 thousand tons, followed by Switzerland with 1.1 thousand tons, Vietnam with 920 tons, Turkey with 298 tons, the free zone (within Egypt) with 396 tons, Bangladesh with 458 tons, Thailand with 109 tons, Bahrain with 103 tons, Italy with 67 tons, Germany with 40 tons, Portugal with 49 tons, Mexico with 24 tons, and Malaysia with 5 tons.

15 Largest Importers of Egyptian Cotton

1) India

2) Pakistan

3) China

4) Switzerland

5) Vietnam

6) Turkey 

7) Free zone (within Egypt) 

8) Bangladesh

9) Thailand

10) Bahrain

 11) Italy

12) Germany 

13) Portugal

14) Mexico

15) Malaysia

It's worth noting that the total area planted in Egypt with cotton this season amounts to 311,000 feddans. Last March, the government set the guaranteed price at 12,000 Egyptian pounds per quintal, before reducing it to 10,000 pounds, the same price set for the opening of public auctions and the award price.

According to cotton marketing regulations, the opening of the auction began at 12,000 Egyptian pounds or the global price, whichever is higher, before being reduced to 10,000 pounds for all subsequent sessions. The Misr Cotton Ginning Company will collect the crop at a guaranteed price equal to its opening price if private companies refrain from selling.

The export season begins in September and continues until the end of August of each year.

According to data from the Cotton Exporters Association, the price of a quintal of Giza 94 was recorded at 145 cents. It is worth noting that 36 companies operating in the cotton trade have harvested 827,600 quintals through the public auction system since the start of the season in mid-October.

The total area planted with cotton this season amounts to 311,000 feddans. According to the rules for marketing cotton at the beginning of the season, the opening auction price starts at the same price as the guaranteed price or the international price, whichever is higher. 

The government set the guaranteed price for this season, the same as the opening price—10,000 Egyptian pounds in Upper Egypt and 12,000 Egyptian pounds in the North Coast—before lowering it to encourage private companies to participate in the auctions and purchase.