Central Asia: Cotton Lint Market 2025

Cotton Lint Market Size in Central Asia

The Central Asian cotton lint market reached $X in 2022, picking up by 4.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption, however, recorded a noticeable downturn. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Cotton Lint Production in Central Asia

In value terms, cotton lint production reduced slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, recorded a noticeable reduction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 10%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The country with the largest volume of cotton lint production was Uzbekistan (X tons), accounting for 62% of total volume. Moreover, cotton lint production in Uzbekistan exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Turkmenistan (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Tajikistan (X tons), with a 9.2% share.

In Uzbekistan, cotton lint production decreased by an average annual rate of -2.3% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Turkmenistan (+4.8% per year) and Tajikistan (-0.2% per year).

In 2022, the average cotton lint yield in Central Asia expanded rapidly to X tons per ha, with an increase of 8.1% against the year before. Over the period under review, the yield, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when the yield increased by 14% against the previous year. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the yield stood at a somewhat lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, the total area harvested in terms of cotton lint production in Central Asia totaled X ha, with an increase of 1.7% on 2021. Overall, the harvested area, however, recorded a mild descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to cotton lint production reached the peak figure at X ha in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Cotton Lint Exports

Exports in Central Asia

In 2022, the amount of cotton lint exported in Central Asia reduced sharply to X tons, with a decrease of -39.1% compared with the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a noticeable decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 68% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cotton lint exports declined rapidly to $X in 2022. In general, exports showed a pronounced reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 89% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Tajikistan represented the major exporter of cotton lint in Central Asia, with the volume of exports reaching X tons, which was near 57% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Kazakhstan (X tons), Turkmenistan (X tons) and Kyrgyzstan (X tons), together generating a 42% share of total exports.

Tajikistan was also the fastest-growing in terms of the cotton lint exports, with a CAGR of +2.1% from 2012 to 2022. Kazakhstan (-3.3%), Kyrgyzstan (-6.1%) and Turkmenistan (-15.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Tajikistan (+27 p.p.) and Kazakhstan (+2.2 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of Kyrgyzstan (-1.7 p.p.) and Turkmenistan (-28.9 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Tajikistan ($X) remains the largest cotton lint supplier in Central Asia, comprising 51% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Kazakhstan ($X), with a 25% share of total exports. It was followed by Turkmenistan, with a 12% share.

In Tajikistan, cotton lint exports increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Kazakhstan (-0.1% per year) and Turkmenistan (-16.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Central Asia amounted to $X per ton, dropping by -2.7% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 40%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton, and then declined modestly in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Kyrgyzstan ($X per ton), while Tajikistan ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Kyrgyzstan (+7.5%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Cotton Lint Imports

Imports in Central Asia

In 2022, cotton lint imports in Central Asia surged to X tons, picking up by 115% on the previous year. In general, imports continue to indicate a buoyant expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when imports increased by 759% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, cotton lint imports soared to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate strong growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when imports increased by 593% against the previous year. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

Uzbekistan (X tons) represented roughly 98% of total imports in 2022.

Uzbekistan was also the fastest-growing in terms of the cotton lint imports, with a CAGR of +1,161.9% from 2012 to 2022. Uzbekistan (+97 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Uzbekistan ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported cotton lint in Central Asia.

In Uzbekistan, cotton lint imports expanded at an average annual rate of +1,464.1% over the period from 2012-2022.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Central Asia amounted to $X per ton, growing by 31% against the previous year. Import price indicated a notable expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, cotton lint import price increased by +88.5% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the import price increased by 44%. Over the period under review, import prices reached the peak figure in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

As there is only one major supplying country, the average price level is determined by prices for Uzbekistan.

From 2012 to 2022, the rate of growth in terms of prices for Uzbekistan amounted to +23.9% per year.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :