By April 25, Tajikistan has planted cotton on an area of 158,929 hectares , which is 25% more compared to the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture of Tajikistan (MoA).
An official source within a MoA says this figure represents a substantial portion of the total cotton planting target determined at 186,000 hectares.
So far, cotton has shown good growth on 44,690 hectares, the source added.
The year 2024 was challenging for Tajikistan’s cotton sector, especially due to a significant decline in crop volumes.
Farmers faced both climatic and economic difficulties.
Minister of Agriculture Qurbon Hakimzoda attributed the drop in yield to unfavorable weather conditions and agricultural mismanagement.
Abnormal precipitation in spring and autumn, delays in planting, and extreme summer heat worsened cotton quality. Improper irrigation and thinning practices also negatively impacted yields. Additionally, the country is facing a shortage of qualified agronomists, further exacerbating the situation.
Farmers report that the purchase prices for cotton in Tajikistan are too low and do not cover production costs. The average price was 6.00–7.00 somonis per kilogram, while production expenses per hectare reached 15,000 somonis, and revenues did not exceed 12,000 somonis. As a result, farmers suffer losses—even though international cotton prices are significantly higher.
In 2024, Tajikistan earned US$302 million from the export of yarn and finished cotton products. This year, the country is expected to harvest 390,000 tons of cotton and increase fabric production by 45% compared to 2024 by reducing the export of raw cotton.
It’s worth noting that only 20–25 percent of the cotton Tajikistan produces is processed into manufactured goods in Tajikistan, while the remainder is exported for manufacturing outside the country.
