Uzbekistan’s textile exports rose 28.1% year on year to $2.4 billion in the first nine months of 2026, official data showed, as the Central Asian nation shifts from raw yarn towards higher-value finished goods.
The National Statistics Committee said textiles accounted for 9.3% of total exports over the period. Finished textile products made up the largest share at 50.8%, followed by yarn at 33%. Knitted fabrics represented 8%, other fabrics 5%, socks 2% and carpets 1%. Read Here
Exports of textile yarn, fabrics, finished products and related goods reached $1.481 billion, up 25.9%, under the Standard International Trade Classification. Separately, clothing and accessories rose 24.3% to $938.1 million.
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The increase follows a weak 2025, when textile exports fell 16.6% to $1.85 billion in the same nine-month period, according to bne IntelliNews, meaning much of this year’s growth reflects recovery from a low base. UzDaily reported cumulative exports of $2.1 billion at the end of August, up 26.9%, suggesting momentum held through the third quarter.
The sector’s performance contrasts with softer overall trade. Total exports fell 5.5% to $25.8 billion, though exports excluding gold rose 31.6% to $13.3 billion and services exports grew 31.1% to $9.7 billion. Foreign trade turnover increased 6.3% to $65.4 billion, while imports climbed 15.7% to $39.6 billion, leaving a trade deficit of $13.7 billion.
Tashkent has sought to deepen domestic cotton processing and raise capacity utilisation in fabrics, knitwear and garments.
Notably, however, finished goods’ share was unchanged from a year earlier at 50.8%, while yarn’s share rose from 29% to 33%, indicating the rebound was driven partly by raw material shipments rather than a decisive shift towards garments. Government data showed Uzbekistan entering new markets for finished textiles, including Algeria, Angola, Greece and Kuwait, as exporters seek to diversify beyond their traditional buyers.