Officials say Uzbekistan harvested more than five million tonnes of raw cotton, about 25% more than in 2025, with machines picking around 85% of the crop.
Uzbekistan says it harvested more than five million tonnes of raw cotton in 2026, its largest crop since gaining independence in 1991. Officials put the increase at around a quarter from last year. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has set a higher yield target for 2027.
Agriculture Minister Ibrokhim Abdurakhmonov told journalists that the 2025 harvest stood at around four million tonnes. This year’s crop also exceeded the government’s initial target of 4.5 million tonnes.
Uzbekistan attributes the increase to new cotton varieties, revised planting methods and wider use of harvesting machines. The government says the area planted with cotton has fallen by 38% in recent years and average yields have risen from 2.1 to 5.6 tonnes per hectare.
More than 3,000 machines picked around 85% of the crop in 30 to 35 days, according to the government. It said machines picked the entire crop in Jizzakh and Syrdarya.
From raw cotton to finished textiles
The higher output comes as Uzbekistan expands domestic processing, aiming to turn more of its cotton into yarn, fabrics and clothing at home.
“We used to sell only cotton fibre,” Abdurakhmonov told journalists, describing the shift towards manufacturing.
“How do we create added value? New brands, new clothing, new domestic production. We are seeing good businesses emerge,” he said.
From raw cotton to finished textiles
The higher output comes as Uzbekistan expands domestic processing, aiming to turn more of its cotton into yarn, fabrics and clothing at home.
“We used to sell only cotton fibre,” Abdurakhmonov told journalists, describing the shift towards manufacturing.
“How do we create added value? New brands, new clothing, new domestic production. We are seeing good businesses emerge,” he said.
Abdurakhmonov said farmers were switching from flooding fields to drip irrigation, estimating that the technology could reduce water use by around 40%.
“Previously, we flooded the fields, and the soil could not breathe. Microbial activity had declined. Now the soil is recovering,” he said, adding that farmers were also rotating cotton with wheat to improve soil conditions.
The government says it is also changing how it grows cotton in areas with salty soils and seeking to reduce fertiliser use.
The target for 2027
Following the record harvest, Mirziyoyev has set a target of raising the national average cotton yield from 5.6 to between 6.5 and seven tonnes per hectare in 2027.
The planned measures include higher-yielding varieties, agricultural drones, artificial intelligence and more efficient irrigation systems. How those measures will affect farmers’ incomes and water use remains to be seen.
Source: https://www.euronews.com/