Uzbekistan cotton planting area and production for MY 2018/19 is now estimated at 1.17 million hectares and 3.35 million bales (480 pound bales) which is 730,000 MT. Adverse growing conditions have lowered yields in almost all regions. Uzbekistan continues with its plan to lower the targeted cotton planting area to increase vegetable and fruit production in the areas where cotton yields are low. There has been rapid expansion of the new “cotton-textile cluster” project, driving investment and modernization of each stage of production from cotton to textiles. Domestic cotton consumption is increasing year by year with new investments that are reducing cotton availability for exports. Accordingly, MY 2018/19 domestic consumption is estimated at about 2.66 million bales (580,000 MT) and exports at 1.05 million bales (230,000 MT).
