Cotton seeds market in Kyrgyzstan

Earlier Report Observations

The cotton seeds market in Kyrgyzstan exhibited considerable volatility from 2018 to 2023. The period opened with a solid volume of nearly 49 844 tons in 2018, supported by the government's Cotton Industry Development Concept for 2017-2021, which aimed at enhancing seed selection and renewing farm machinery. Additionally, the exemption of cotton oil from excise tax that same year improved the economics of seed processing, contributing to market activity.

After a contraction in 2019 and a recovery in 2020, the market declined again in 2021. A strong rebound followed in 2022, with volume exceeding 51 000 tons. This growth was directly tied to a reported 13.8% increase in raw cotton production, partly attributable to the continued cultivation of the high-yield 'Kyrgyzsky-3' cotton variety. The market's structure, characterized by a lack of domestic processing capacity and reliance on raw material exports, persisted but did not hinder the overall supply expansion that year.

The upward trend reversed in 2023, as the market volume fell to approximately 42 400 tons, underscoring the ongoing instability in the sector's output.

Production cotton seeds in Kyrgyzstan

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of cotton seeds, 2018-2021

World map of production of cotton seeds, 2018-2021

In 2021, Kyrgyzstan produced 44,153 tons of cotton seeds, marking a modest decline of 8.1% compared to 2020. Production reached its lowest point in 2019 at 38,300 tons, which saw the largest annual decrease of 22.3%. The following year, 2020, recorded the largest increase at 25.4%. Overall, from 2018 to 2021, production fell by 10.5%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 3.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Kyrgyzstan in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports cotton seeds from Kyrgyzstan

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports bottomed out in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a staggering 66,667-fold difference between these years. In 2021, cotton seed exports from Kyrgyzstan totaled 72 tons, reflecting a sharp reduction of 64.0% compared to 2020.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Kyrgyzstan in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, cotton seed exports from Kyrgyzstan were highly concentrated, with Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan accounting for 100.0% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Kyrgyzstan in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a factor of 11,667 separating these years. In 2021, cotton seed exports from Kyrgyzstan amounted to 29.7 thousand US dollars, down 15.0% from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Kyrgyzstan in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan together absorbed 100.0% of the total export value of cotton seeds from Kyrgyzstan, indicating a high degree of concentration.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Kyrgyzstan in value, 2018-2021

Imports cotton seeds to Kyrgyzstan

Imports in kind, t

The market displayed volatility over the observed period. Imports hit their lowest point in 2019 at 333 tons and peaked in 2020 at 1,818 tons, showing a 5.5-fold amplitude. The largest increase occurred in 2020, surging by 445.1%. In 2021, cross-border shipments of cotton seeds to Kyrgyzstan stood at 1,099 tons, constituting a steep fall of 39.5% compared to the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Kyrgyzstan in kind, 2018-2021, t

Throughout 2018–2021, imports of cotton seeds to Kyrgyzstan were dominated by Kazakhstan and China, which jointly accounted for 85.3% of total flows, while other countries held much smaller shares.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Kyrgyzstan in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2021, Kyrgyzstan's cotton seed imports amounted to 493.3 thousand US dollars, down 19.3% from 2020. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 416.2 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest annual decline of 34.1%. The largest increase occurred in 2020, rising by 46.9%. Overall, from 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 21.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Kyrgyzstan in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, China and Kazakhstan remained the primary suppliers of cotton seeds to Kyrgyzstan, with a combined share of 88.4% of total imports in value terms, and other countries making up the remainder.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Kyrgyzstan in value, 2018-2021