DUSHANBE, January 28, 2010, Asia-Plus  -- In 2009, Tajikistan exported 86,600 tons of cotton fiber for a total amount of some 100 million U.S. dollars, Ms. Bakhtiya Muhammadiyeva, the first deputy chairperson of the State Committee for Statistics, told Asia-Plus today.

According to her, the main trading partners of Tajikistan in regard to its cotton were Russia, Iran, turkey and Latvia.  Last year, Tajikistan exported cotton fiber to 18 countries.

“Compared to 2008, an average price of one ton of cotton fiber decreased by US$144 to US$1,150,” Ms. Muhammadiyeva said, noting that the fall in international prices of Tajikistan''s major commodities -- aluminum and cotton – seriously affected Tajikistan’s exports last year.  “However, the prices have risen by the end of 2009 and our export capacities have increased a little,” she added.