Cotton yarn excluding sewing thread market in Russia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2022, the Russian cotton yarn market expanded from 206.5 thousand tons to 272.6 thousand tons, largely because of rising imports that offset declining domestic production. This period was characterized by high dependence on supplies from Uzbekistan, coupled with a 20% increase in sales of cotton fabrics from 2018 to 2022, which sustained demand for yarn. Domestic spinners, however, faced growing raw material shortages that pushed production down from 49.8 thousand tons to 22.4 thousand tons over the same years.

The market contracted sharply in 2023 to 202.0 thousand tons as imports fell, notably from Uzbekistan, and post-surge demand normalized. Production recovered modestly to 25.1 thousand tons, aided by import-substitution initiatives and the launch of new capacity such as the 'Kariteks' worsted-spinning factory in Cherkessk, which started producing acrylic yarn. In 2024, the market volume edged up to 209.4 thousand tons while production remained near 24.9 thousand tons, with continued investment in new lines.

Looking ahead, the planned halt of cotton yarn exports from Uzbekistan in 2025 could tighten Russia's raw material supply, underscoring the industry's ongoing shift toward import substitution and structural transformation.

Production cotton yarn in Russia

In kind, 2018-2021, t

In 2021, Russia produced 35,427 tons of cotton yarn, excluding sewing thread, which represents an 18.7% decrease compared to 2020. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production fell by 28.8%, averaging an annual decline of 10.7%. The only year that saw growth was 2020, with a modest increase of 2.8%.

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

Exports cotton yarn from Russia

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Russia's exports of cotton yarn, excluding sewing thread, declined in 2021. The export volume reached 2.3 thousand tons, marking a 15.6% drop from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports overall increased by 20.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.5%. The peak was in 2020 at 2.8 thousand tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 27.0%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Belarus dominated Russia's exports of cotton yarn, excluding sewing thread, accounting for 74.5% of the total volume. The remaining exports were distributed among numerous smaller trading partners.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Russia's exports of cotton yarn, excluding sewing thread, grew for the second consecutive year in 2021, reaching 8.2 million US dollars—an 18.7% increase year-over-year. Between 2018 and 2021, export value rose by 41.8%, averaging 12.4% annually. The lowest point was in 2019 at 5.8 million US dollars, which also saw a slight decline of 0.0%. The most significant growth occurred in 2020, with a 19.5% increase.

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

During 2018-2021, Belarus and Italy were the primary destinations for Russia's cotton yarn exports, excluding sewing thread, in value terms, while other markets played relatively minor roles individually.

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

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

Imports cotton yarn to Russia

Imports in kind, K t

Russia's imports of cotton yarn, excluding sewing thread, increased for the third year in a row in 2021, totaling 191.9 thousand tons—an 8.0% rise from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 20.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.5%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Uzbekistan, China, and Turkmenistan were the main sources for Russia's imports of cotton yarn, excluding sewing thread, in volume terms. Uzbekistan led with 54.5% of imports, followed by China at 15.2% and Turkmenistan at 8.5%, together making up 78.2% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, Russia's imports of cotton yarn, excluding sewing thread, rebounded in 2021, reaching 447.2 million US dollars—a sharp 46.4% increase year-over-year. Between 2018 and 2021, import value rose by 30.2%, averaging 9.2% annually. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 305.4 million US dollars, which also saw a 6.3% decline that year.

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

In 2018-2021, Uzbekistan, China, and Turkmenistan were the largest suppliers of cotton yarn, excluding sewing thread, to Russia in value terms. Uzbekistan accounted for 64.4% of imports, China for 9.0%, and Turkmenistan for 7.7%, collectively representing 81.1% of total import value.

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

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