21 Aug 2009 13:25

Uzbekistan reduces cotton fiber production 14.2% in Jan-July

TASHKENT. Aug 21 (Interfax) - Uzbekistan reduced cotton fiber production 14.2% to 632,963 tonnes in January-July 2009 compared to the same period of 2008, the State Statistics Department said in a statement.

Production of cotton yarn at textile companies fell 9.1% to 79,511 tonnes in January-July, while cotton fabric production declined 27.7% to 44.736 million square meters.

Uzbekistan increased cotton fiber production 4.4% to 1.174 million tonnes in 2008.

Uzbekistan is the sixth largest cotton producer and the third largest exporter in the world. The republic annually produces about 3.5 million tonnes of raw cotton and 1 million-1.2 million tonnes of cotton fiber, exporting roughly 75% of that amount.