Cottonseed oil and fractions market in Central Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The Central Asian market for cottonseed oil began the period under the influence of new conformity standards set by the Eurasian Economic Commission's technical regulation, implemented in 2018. Production and market volume saw modest growth through 2020, supported by expanding production capacity in the region and resilient domestic demand, even as the COVID-19 pandemic introduced logistical disruptions to global supply chains.

A dramatic surge in the market occurred in 2021, with volume rising by over 28% to 347.5 thousand t. This expansion was primarily driven by the introduction of updated non-tariff and mandatory labeling rules within the Eurasian Economic Union, which formalized market access, coupled with a significant increase in consumer interest in natural and unrefined edible oils. The following two years saw a substantial reversal, with the market contracting to 222.9 thousand t in 2022 and 212.7 thousand t in 2023, a shift aligned with emerging geopolitical tensions and sanctions that affected trade flows and likely constrained raw material availability.

Regulatory pressure persisted through the period, with continued tightening of traceability and labeling requirements. The market landscape in 2024 remained influenced by these rules, alongside factors such as crop shortages affecting related oilseeds and volatility in global energy and logistics costs.

Production cottonseed oil and fractions in Central Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of cottonseed oil and fractions, 2017-2020

World map of production of cottonseed oil and fractions, 2017-2020

Central Asia's production of cottonseed oil and fractions has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 270.9 K t, marking a 4.7% rise compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production decreased by 5.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 256.1 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 10.9% that year.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of cottonseed oil and fractions production in Central Asia has risen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 372.9 M $ US, showing a modest gain of 2.3% from the previous year. The lowest value occurred in 2018 at 340.7 M $ US, which experienced the largest decline of 8.9%. In contrast, 2019 saw the biggest increase at 7.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Central Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports cottonseed oil and fractions from Central Asia

Exports in kind, t

The market showed significant volatility during these years, with exports reaching their lowest point in 2018 and peaking in 2020, resulting in a 2.1-fold swing. In 2020, cross-border shipments from Central Asia totaled 20 992 t, reflecting a solid 16.5% improvement over 2019. The minimum was recorded in 2018 at 9 812 t, which saw the largest decline of 6.8%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 83.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Afghanistan and Russia remained the primary buyers of cottonseed oil and fractions from Central Asia, together accounting for 11.5% of total exports in volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports hit their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 2.2-fold gap between these years. In 2020, foreign supplies from Central Asia reached 28 902 K $ US, constituting a 13.9% increase compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 13 054 K $ US, which saw the largest decline of 4.7%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 94.4%.

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

Over the period 2017–2020, Afghanistan and Russia consistently remained the main markets for exports in value terms, together accounting for 11.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports cottonseed oil and fractions to Central Asia

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, imports of cottonseed oil and fractions into Central Asia declined. In 2020, imports reached 20 973 t, down by 17.8% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 23.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 7.3%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 25 527 t, which also saw the largest increase of 27.9% in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Azerbaijan and Russia were the main sources for imports in volume of cottonseed oil and fractions to Central Asia, together accounting for 12.9% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year rise, cottonseed oil and fractions imports into Central Asia declined. In 2020, imports tallied 27 883 K $ US, indicating a drop of 14.2% compared to the previous year. Over the period 2017-2020, imports increased by 27.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.4%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 32 504 K $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 30.6% that year.

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

In the years 2017–2020, Azerbaijan and Russia retained their positions as the main suppliers of cottonseed oil and fractions to Central Asia, with a combined share of 11.1% of total imports in value terms.

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

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