USDA Boosts Uzbekistan Cotton Production Forecast for 2026/27 Season
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has upgraded its cotton production forecast for Uzbekistan for the 2026/27 marketing season.
According to the July edition of «Cotton: World Markets and Trade», the Central Asian nation will be among the key drivers of global output growth in the upcoming agricultural cycle.
The USDA estimates that Uzbekistan’s cotton fibre production will increase by 3% from 3.3 mln to 3.4 mln bales. This volume translates to roughly 740,000 tonnes compared with 718,000 tonnes the previous year.
Improved agricultural efficiency rather than expanded cultivation will drive the domestic growth. The total harvest area is projected to remain steady at 900,000 hectares while average crop yields are expected to rise by 4.1% from 823 to 857 kilogrammes per hectare.
Despite the production boost, domestic demand will continue to outstrip supply. The USDA projects Uzbekistan’s cotton fibre consumption will remain at a record high of 871,000 tonnes during the 2026/27 season.
Globally, the department raised its worldwide production forecast by 1.2 mln bales to 117.3 mln bales, or approximately 25.5 mln tonnes. Uzbekistan joins Brazil, Turkey and the United States as the primary contributors to this revised outlook.
Worldwide cotton consumption is also forecast to rise by nearly 200,000 bales to reach 122 mln bales, largely fuelled by increased demand from Vietnam.
Furthermore, the USDA predicts global ending stocks will grow to 71.2 mln bales. Rising reserves in India, Turkey, the U.S. and Uzbekistan are expected to offset declining stockpiles in Brazil and Vietnam.
