Uzbekistan, one of the world’s largest cotton producers, may begin importing cotton from the United States, a move that has prompted public debate. Inomjon Abdurakhmonov, Head of the Foreign Trade Department at the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade, explained that the decision is aimed at helping Uzbekistan secure a foothold in premium global markets and boost the reputation of its textile exports.
A rapidly growing textile sector
Over the past seven years, Uzbekistan’s textile industry has expanded dramatically. Since 2017, cotton yarn output has more than doubled from 412,000 to 970,000 tons, knitted fabric production has risen from 68,000 to 312,000 tons, and ready-made garment output has jumped from 960 million to 3.1 billion pieces. Exports have grown from about $1.1 billion in 2016 to $2.8 billion in 2024.
This growth stems from a deliberate policy shift away from exporting raw cotton in favor of domestic processing. Today, 100% of the national harvest is used locally, feeding factories that now export finished goods to more than 50 countries.
Why import cotton?
Abdurakhmonov emphasized that imports would supplement, not replace, domestic supply. “Uzbek cotton is fully consumed domestically, but our factories still operate at about 75% capacity,” he said. “Premium-grade imports allow us to expand production and meet the strict quality standards of top global brands.”
Similar strategies are used by other textile leaders such as Turkey, India, Vietnam, and China, all of which import high-grade cotton to meet market requirements.
The U.S. advantage
The plan focuses on importing Strict Middling, a high-grade U.S. fiber recognized for its consistency, strength, and sustainability credentials under the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol. “For major brands like Levi’s, Ralph Lauren, Puma, and Gap, ‘Made with U.S. Cotton’ is not optional, it’s a prerequisite,” Abdurakhmonov explained.
Such quality cannot easily be replicated in Uzbekistan’s climate, and producing comparable fiber locally would take at least five years.
Financing the imports
Purchases will be supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s GSM-102 program, which offers credit guarantees and deferred repayment terms of 12-18 months. This allows Uzbek manufacturers to sell finished goods before paying for the raw cotton, covering up to 98% of the deal value.
Long-term benefits
While U.S. cotton costs 15-20% more than domestic fiber, it will be used selectively for contracts where premium quality is mandatory, with higher margins offsetting the expense.
Beyond immediate production gains, Uzbekistan aims to enhance its global textile reputation and strengthen its position in supply chains. Preferential access under the EU’s GSP+ system has already nearly doubled exports to Europe, from $74 million to $140 million and similar results are expected from U.S. partnerships.
“Importing U.S. cotton is not about shortages, it’s about credibility,” Abdurakhmonov said. “This strategy will secure our place in premium markets and create long-term opportunities for our economy.”
