Uzbekistan: record cotton crop of over 5 million tonnes, yield up from 21 to 56 c/ha, 2027 target is 65–70 c/ha

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced on November 4, in an address to dehkan and family farmers and cluster workers, that more than 5 million tonnes of cotton were harvested for the first time in the history of New Uzbekistan. He set the target for 2027 and said cotton growers' net profit this year is expected to reach 13–14 trillion soums (≈ $1.1–1.2 billion).

Key figures

• Over 5 million t harvested
• Yield: 21 → 56 c/ha
• 2027 target: 65–70 c/ha
• Cotton area down 38%
• Farmers' profit 13–14 trn
• Water use cut by half

What changed

According to the president, the cotton was harvested before bad weather set in, using the sector's own resources. Cotton area was cut by 38%, the cotton monopoly was abolished and the industry moved to science-based farming technologies. This year sowing schemes were changed, the number of seedlings was raised 2–3 times and new biotech varieties resistant to the cotton bollworm and herbicides were sown. The president also noted the role of better subsidies, the insurance system and payment discipline.

In figures

Figures from the president's address:

• Average yield rose 2.7 times — from 21 to 56 centners per hectare.
• On almost 400,000 ha it reached 70 c/ha, and on about 70,000 ha — 100–110 c/ha.
• More than 4,000 farmers exceeded 60–70 c/ha, and 2,500 reached 80 c/ha.
• Water use fell by half compared with the 1990s thanks to water-saving technologies.
• Digitalisation and the use of drones cut costs by half.

Target for 2027

The task set for next year is to raise the national average yield to 65–70 centners per hectare. The tools named are high-yielding varieties, wide use of agricultural drones, water- and energy-saving technologies and artificial intelligence. More than 3.5 million people work in the agricultural sector; the president said he is ready to create additional conditions for them.

What it means for a buyer

A 65–70 c/ha target means farms are expected to work precisely and on time in the field: sowing, crop treatment and harvesting. Cotton growers' net profit of 13–14 trillion soums (≈ $1.1–1.2 billion), by the president's estimate, is a resource some farms may put into renewing their fleet. If you plan machinery for the 2027 season, it is better to order used John Deere tractors, sprayers and combines from the USA in advance so delivery arrives in time for sowing.

Source: President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, November 4, 2026