Cotton seeds market in Kazakhstan

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the market volume for cotton seeds in Kazakhstan declined from 187.6 thousand tons to 162.3 thousand tons. State support for agriculture, including cotton farming, and an increase in seed suppliers helped maintain production levels near 189 thousand tons in 2018-2019. However, rising exports, which reached 17.4 thousand tons in 2020, reduced domestic availability. The COVID-19 pandemic introduced additional disruptions in 2020, affecting market conditions.

After a further dip to 155.2 thousand tons in 2021, when imports rose to 7.3 thousand tons amid strengthened state-owned companies, the market rebounded sharply in 2022. Production jumped to 199.0 thousand tons, supported by a large cotton harvest and increased subsidies for domestic seed production, which were raised to 80%. The government also launched regional development programs for the cotton sector. In 2023, however, the market volume fell to 152.6 thousand tons as logistics bottlenecks, international sanctions, and higher exports of 29.3 thousand tons limited domestic supply.

Production cotton seeds in Kazakhstan

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Kazakhstan ranked 19th globally in cotton seeds production volume.

Top producers of cotton seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of cotton seeds, 2017-2020

Cotton seeds production in Kazakhstan declined after two years of growth. In 2020, production stood at 179.6 K t, down 5.2% from the previous year. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 189.4 K t, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 4.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Kazakhstan in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Kazakhstan's cotton seeds production value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 21 085 K $ US, representing a 20.3% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production value fell by 42.5%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 16.9%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 37 153 K $ US. The largest annual decrease occurred in 2019 at 28.8%, while the only increase during this period was in 2018 at 1.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Kazakhstan in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports cotton seeds from Kazakhstan

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed significant volatility during the observed period. The lowest point was in 2018 at 2 409 t, while exports peaked in 2020 at 17 371 t, representing a 7.2-fold increase between these years. In 2020, exports grew by 141.0% compared to 2019. The largest annual decline occurred in 2018 at 40.7%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 199.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Kazakhstan in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan together accounted for 99.1% of Kazakhstan's cotton seeds exports by volume, with the remaining share distributed among various other countries.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Kazakhstan in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values exhibited considerable volatility throughout the period. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 474 K $ US, while the peak occurred in 2020 at 2 039 K $ US, representing a 4.3-fold difference. In 2020, export value increased by 102.6% year-over-year. The largest annual decline was in 2018 at 42.3%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 112.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Kazakhstan in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Tajikistan accounted for 75.4% of Kazakhstan's cotton seeds export value, with the remaining share distributed among various smaller markets.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Kazakhstan in value, 2017-2020

Imports cotton seeds to Kazakhstan

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes experienced notable fluctuations during this period. The minimum was recorded in 2020 at just 0.2 t, while the maximum occurred in 2018 at 995 t, representing a 5 917-fold difference. In 2020, imports plummeted by 99.7% compared to the previous year. The largest annual increase was recorded in 2018 at 736.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Kazakhstan in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Azerbaijan was the primary source for Kazakhstan's cotton seeds imports, accounting for 80.4% of total import volume, with the remainder coming from various other countries.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Kazakhstan in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Kazakhstan's cotton seeds import value declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached just 1 K $ US, marking a dramatic 99.3% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value fell by 99.8%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 87.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Kazakhstan in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey dominated Kazakhstan's cotton seeds imports in value terms, accounting for 75.5% of total imports, while other countries collectively represented the remaining share.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Kazakhstan in value, 2017-2020