Not carded or combed cotton market in Uzbekistan

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the market volume for not carded or combed cotton in Uzbekistan increased from 2,939 thousand tons to 3,970 thousand tons. This growth was driven by market liberalization policies, including the abolition of the monopoly on domestic cotton sales and the introduction of exchange trading, which improved market efficiency. The presidential decree adopted in late 2017 to accelerate the development of the textile and garment industry stimulated domestic cotton consumption. By 2020, the official cessation of raw cotton exports and increased investment in textile clusters reinforced the trend toward full domestic processing of the harvest.

From 2021 to 2023, production continued to rise, reaching 4,521 thousand tons in 2023. The development of cotton-textile clusters and the granting of farmers' rights to choose buyers through exchange trading enhanced competition and efficiency. Breeding successes, including the development of over 20 early-ripening cotton varieties, and the introduction of high-yield seeds with new agrotechnologies led to a sharp 30.4% increase in gross harvest in 2023. Simultaneously, the creation of new production facilities, such as the BYD Uzbekistan Factory plant, expanded processing capacity and supported market growth.

Production not carded or combed cotton in Uzbekistan

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Uzbekistan ranked as the world's sixth-largest producer of not carded or combed cotton.

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

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

Uzbekistan's production of not carded or combed cotton grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 4 061 K t, marking a 13.8% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 6.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.3%. The lowest output was in 2018 at 3 055 K t, which saw the largest decline of 19.6%. In contrast, 2019 recorded the biggest increase at 16.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of not carded or combed cotton production in Uzbekistan was 5 975 M $ US, down 5.2% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value fell by 8%, with an average annual decline of 2.8%. The lowest value occurred in 2018 at 5 869 M $ US, which experienced the largest drop of 9.7%. Meanwhile, 2019 saw the highest increase at 7.4%.

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

Exports not carded or combed cotton from Uzbekistan

Exports in kind, K t

Uzbekistan exported 100.1 K t of not carded or combed cotton in 2020, a 37.2% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports dropped by 64.1%, with an average annual decline of 28.9%. The largest fall was in 2018 at 58.5%, while 2019 had the biggest rise at 37.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Iran, China, and Bangladesh were the main destinations for Uzbekistan's not carded or combed cotton exports in kind. Iran accounted for 47.1% of exports, China for 28.6%, and Bangladesh for 5.5%, together making up 81.1% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The market showed an unstable trend from 2017 to 2020. Exports peaked in 2017 and hit their lowest point in 2020, with a 3.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exported volumes totaled 147.3 M $ US, a sharp 47.7% drop from 2019. The largest decline was in 2018 at 53.4%, while 2019 saw the biggest increase at 26.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iran, China, and Bangladesh remained the key destinations for Uzbekistan's not carded or combed cotton exports in value terms. Iran held 47.6% of exports, China 29.9%, and Bangladesh 5.6%, collectively accounting for 83.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports not carded or combed cotton to Uzbekistan

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Uzbekistan imported 9.0 K t of not carded or combed cotton, a significant 2 946.1% increase year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports surged by 11 226 887.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 4 724.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Tajikistan dominated Uzbekistan's imports of not carded or combed cotton in kind, representing 96.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, foreign supplies of not carded or combed cotton to Uzbekistan amounted to 12.6 M $ US, indicating a 2 858.4% rise compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 48 379 857.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 7 750.3%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, imports of not carded or combed cotton to Uzbekistan in value terms were almost entirely linked to Tajikistan, which accounted for 96.7% of total flows.

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

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