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Where Cotton Actually Comes From

Cotton Guide 03·Global Sourcing·3 min

Cotton is grown in more than 80 countries — but just two of them supply roughly half the world's fiber.

The Big Producers

China and India Lead by a Wide Margin

China produces about 25% of the world's cotton, with volume, short-to-long staple, and a vertically integrated supply chain. India follows closely at roughly 24% — the world's largest producer by planted area, with the most diverse range of grades.

~25%China
~24%India
~14%USA

The Next Tier

The United States grows about 14%, dominated by highly mechanized farms producing Pima and Supima extra-long-staple cotton. Brazil (~10%) has seen strong growth in production volume with competitive pricing, and Pakistan (~5%) supplies affordable grades backed by a large domestic textile manufacturing base.

Smaller Origins With Outsized Reputations

Egypt produces only about 1% of the world's cotton, but its Giza extra-long-staple cotton is legendary in luxury shirting. Turkey (~2%) feeds premium European mills from its Aegean basin. West Africa (~4%) relies heavily on smallholder farms and fair trade programs.

Why Origin Still Matters

Country of origin correlates closely with fiber grade, mill infrastructure, and price tier. Egyptian and American Pima cotton command luxury premiums despite representing a tiny share of global supply, while China and India dominate on sheer volume — origin tells you almost as much about a fabric as the fiber itself.

Next in the Series

Cotton's Water Problem

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