🇬🇧 United Kingdom imports of raw cotton: 2024 trade data
Imports of raw cotton by the United Kingdom reached $3.3 million in 2024 (258 tonnes). That is 24% less than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 17% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2019, at $16.7 million.
Public statistics, latest reported year 2024. Values in US dollars.
Imports of raw cotton by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $3.3M | 258 t |
| 2023 | $4.3M | 1.3K t |
| 2022 | $3.2M | 787 t |
| 2021 | $3.2M | 725 t |
| 2020 | $9.5M | 4.2K t |
| 2019 | $16.7M | 9.5K t |
| 2018 | $7.2M | 3.3K t |
| 2017 | $12.3M | 7.6K t |
Where the United Kingdom imports raw cotton from
Most of the value came from China (25%), Portugal (15%), India (9%). Trade is spread widely: the top three suppliers together make up only 49%. Among the main suppliers, Poland grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 🇨🇳 China | $825K | 25% |
| 🇵🇹 Portugal | $478K | 15% |
| 🇮🇳 India | $296K | 9% |
| 🇮🇹 Italy | $246K | 7.5% |
| 🇺🇸 United States | $219K | 6.7% |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | $160K | 4.9% |
| 🇫🇷 France | $150K | 4.6% |
| 🇹🇷 Turkey | $146K | 4.4% |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | $113K | 3.4% |
| 🇵🇱 Poland | $89K | 2.7% |
Average import price of raw cotton
The average declared value was about $12.75 per kg, 561% above the world average of $1.93. This usually points to higher-grade or processed goods.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
The United Kingdom also exports raw cotton
In 2024, the United Kingdom exported raw cotton worth $3.0 million (490 tonnes). Most of it went to United States (26%), United Arab Emirates (9%), Hong Kong (8%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 43%. Among the main buyer markets, Nigeria grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 United States | $765K | 26% |
| 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates | $276K | 9.3% |
| 🇭🇰 Hong Kong | $235K | 7.9% |
| 🇦🇹 Austria | $163K | 5.5% |
| 🇮🇪 Ireland | $134K | 4.5% |
| 🇫🇷 France | $105K | 3.5% |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | $100K | 3.4% |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | $93K | 3.1% |
| 🇳🇬 Nigeria | $92K | 3.1% |
| 🇻🇨 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | $79K | 2.7% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United Kingdom?
Public statistics stop at country totals and the last published year. EximDataX shows the shipment records underneath: the companies, dates, quantities and declared values, updated weekly.
Shipment records are in the platform
Tell us what you trade and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
Direct customs feed: shipment-level records from the official customs source.
Updated weekly on EximDataX (some markets daily), while public statistics stop at 2024.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 5201: Cotton; not carded or combed.
Raw cotton trade in the United Kingdom: questions
What is the value of raw cotton imported by the United Kingdom?
The United Kingdom imported raw cotton worth $3.3 million in 2024 (258 tonnes).
Where does the United Kingdom import raw cotton from?
The main supplier countries in 2024 were China (25%), Portugal (15%), India (9%).
What is the average import price of raw cotton in the United Kingdom?
The average declared import value was about $12.75 per kg in 2024, against a world average of $1.93 per kg.
Does the United Kingdom export raw cotton?
Yes. The United Kingdom exported raw cotton worth $3.0 million in 2024, mainly to United States, United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong.
What is the HS code for raw cotton?
Raw cotton falls under HS heading 5201 (Cotton; not carded or combed). The six-digit codes under it split the product by type.
How can I find the companies trading raw cotton with the United Kingdom?
These public statistics stop at country level. EximDataX has a direct customs feed for the United Kingdom with shipment-level records, updated weekly, where you can see the importers and exporters by name.
Raw cotton trade in other countries
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