Not carded or combed cotton market in CIS

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for not carded or combed cotton in the CIS expanded strongly from 3.98 million tonnes in 2018 to 5.17 million tonnes in 2020. This growth was primarily fueled by active state-owned companies in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, which invested in production facilities and modernization. The entry of new market players increased competition and spurred innovation, while a significant 30.4% rise in raw cotton harvest in Uzbekistan in 2019 directly boosted raw material availability. Despite logistical disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, government investments and the emergence of new product segments, such as cotton-based medical and hygiene goods, supported continued demand and production growth.

Growth momentum slowed in 2021, with the market volume stabilizing around 5.19 million tonnes, as the temporary closure of some large production facilities due to the pandemic offset rising consumer demand for organic and eco-friendly cotton. A sharp increase to 5.88 million tonnes followed in 2022, driven by policy shifts in import and export regulations amid international sanctions, which encouraged domestic processing and the development of new cotton-based products. The market then eased slightly to 5.80 million tonnes in 2023, reflecting a period of stabilization where import substitution policies and the launch of new production capacities were counterbalanced by global economic volatility and currency fluctuations.

Production not carded or combed cotton in CIS

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of not carded or combed cotton, 2017-2020

World map of production of not carded or combed cotton, 2017-2020

CIS production of not carded or combed cotton grew for the second year in a row. In 2019, output stood at 5 020 K t, rising to 5 497 K t in 2020—a 9.5% increase year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production expanded by 8.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.8%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 4 292 K t, which marked the largest decline of 15.3%. The following year, 2019, saw the biggest increase at 17.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of not carded or combed cotton production in CIS reached 7 848 M $ US, down 2.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value fell by 7.9%, with a compound annual decline of 2.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 7 739 M $ US, which saw the largest drop of 9.2%. In 2019, the value increased by 4.2%, marking the largest rise during this period.

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

Exports not carded or combed cotton from CIS

Exports in kind, K t

CIS exports of not carded or combed cotton totaled 368.3 K t in 2020, a 12.5% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports declined by 17.8%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 6.3%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 323.6 K t, which experienced the largest decline of 27.8%. In 2019, exports rebounded with the largest increase of 30.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, Iran, and China were the leading destinations for CIS exports of not carded or combed cotton in volume terms. Turkey accounted for 31.0% of exports, Iran for 23.6%, and China for 15.1%. Together, these three countries represented 69.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, CIS exports of not carded or combed cotton were valued at 525.8 M $ US, a 22.2% drop from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 30.2%, with a compound annual decline of 11.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 22.6%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 15.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, Iran, and China were the main markets for CIS exports of not carded or combed cotton in value terms. Turkey held a 28.1% share, Iran 25.7%, and China 16.8%. Combined, these three countries absorbed 70.5% of total export value.

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

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

Imports not carded or combed cotton to CIS

Imports in kind, K t

Import volumes showed significant volatility during these years. In 2018, imports hit their lowest point at 11.9 K t, which was a 65.4% decline. They then surged by 140.2% in 2019 and reached 38.8 K t in 2020, a 36.1% increase from the previous year. Overall, from the low in 2018 to the high in 2020, import volumes varied by 3.3 times.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main suppliers of not carded or combed cotton to CIS in volume terms were Latvia, Bangladesh, and Turkmenistan. Latvia accounted for 5.4% of imports, Bangladesh for 1.9%, and Turkmenistan for 1.5%. Together, they comprised 8.8% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, CIS imports of not carded or combed cotton were valued at 65.8 M $ US, a sharp 28.6% increase from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 51.2 M $ US, which saw a 30.5% decline. The highest value was in 2018 at 73.6 M $ US.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for CIS imports of not carded or combed cotton in value terms were Latvia, Turkmenistan, and Bangladesh. Latvia held a 5.9% share, Turkmenistan 1.6%, and Bangladesh 1.6%. Combined, these countries accounted for 9.0% of total import value.

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

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