Not carded or combed cotton market in Tajikistan

Earlier Report Observations

The market for not carded or combed cotton in Tajikistan saw production surge to 514 thousand tons in 2019, a sharp increase from 386 thousand tons the previous year. This growth was driven by the privatization of all 22 cotton ginning plants in 2018, which brought in international investors and modernized the sector, enhancing efficiency and output capacity.

Global cotton price increases in 2021 allowed Tajik farmers to sell at double the previous year's rates, stimulating production which remained around 500 thousand tons through 2022. During this period, the government announced plans to reduce raw cotton exports and boost domestic processing, supporting market volumes despite rising costs for machinery and fertilizers that pressured farmer profitability.

By 2023, production dropped to 440 thousand tons as planted area reached only 13% of targets, indicating significant planning shortfalls. The following year, unfavorable weather conditions, late sowing due to rains, and economic hardships for farmers—including purchase prices below production costs—led to a further decline in cotton harvests, even as the state introduced a new long-term strategy for the cotton and textile industry and provided equipment and elite seeds.

Production not carded or combed cotton in Tajikistan

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, Tajikistan ranked as the 19th largest producer of not carded or combed cotton from 2017 to 2020.

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

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

In 2020, Tajikistan produced 496.0 K t of not carded or combed cotton, marking a slight decline of 3.5% compared to 2019. Production reached its lowest point in 2018 at 386.3 K t, while the peak was recorded in 2019 at 514.0 K t. The most significant decrease occurred in 2018 with a 22.2% drop, whereas the largest increase was seen in 2019 with a 33.0% rise.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output of not carded or combed cotton in Tajikistan was valued at 673.4 M $ US, representing an 11.7% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 14.9%, averaging an annual decline of 5.2%. The sharpest drop was in 2018 at 13.2%, while the highest increase occurred in 2019 with an 11.1% gain.

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

Exports not carded or combed cotton from Tajikistan

Exports in kind, t

Tajikistan's exports of not carded or combed cotton grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, export volume reached 97 241 t, up 3.4% year-on-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 28.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Turkey, Iran, and Russia—collectively accounted for 68.3% of Tajikistan's total exports of not carded or combed cotton in volume terms.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Tajikistan's exports of not carded or combed cotton in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 132.0 M $ US, down 5.4% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 9.1%, averaging an annual growth of 2.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 165.3 M $ US, with the largest decrease in 2019 at 15.5% and the biggest increase in 2018 at 36.6%.

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

During 2017-2020, Turkey, Iran, and Russia remained the primary partners for Tajikistan's exports of not carded or combed cotton in value terms, with shares of 42.8%, 14.8%, and 11.2%, respectively. Together, they represented 68.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports not carded or combed cotton to Tajikistan

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Tajikistan imported 2 955 t of not carded or combed cotton, a sharp increase of 609.6% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports surged by 295 496 500%, with an annualized growth rate of 14 250.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bangladesh was the dominant source for Tajikistan's imports of not carded or combed cotton in volume terms, holding an 85.8% share of total flows, while other markets contributed minimally.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Tajikistan's imports of not carded or combed cotton amounted to 4.1 M $ US, up 466.0% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 99 921 000%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4 540.4%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Bangladesh clearly led Tajikistan's imports of not carded or combed cotton in value terms, accounting for 83.0% of total flows, with other countries holding much smaller shares.

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

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