A new era is beginning in the Uzbek fruit market: from export to import

Uzbekistan has long been famous for its sweet and delicious fruits. Products such as grapes, apricots, plums, dried fruits and cherries, traditionally grown in our republic, are also highly valued in foreign markets. However, recently, a unique new process has been observed in the fruit trade of our country. Uzbekistan has not only further strengthened its position among fruit exporters, but also has become one of the fastest growing countries as an importer. This fact has also been emphasized by the EastFruit portal.

Fruit exports in Uzbekistan have grown significantly in the last three years. In particular, the volume of exports in 2021 increased from $ 341 million to $ 658 million by 2024, which indicates an increase in export indicators by 93%. The export of mainly traditional products such as grapes, apricots, dried fruits and cherries has made a significant contribution to this growth. For example, cherry exports have grown by 150 percent in the last three years, from $20 million to $50 million. This is undoubtedly a very positive result.

However, an unexpected change in the Uzbek fruit market occurred precisely in import indicators. Over the past three years, import indicators have increased from $60 million to $250 million. This represents a record growth in fruit imports - 317 percent. These figures are one of the highest in the world and indicate that the demand for imported fruit products in the Uzbek market is growing sharply.

In particular, the fastest growth in imports during this period was observed in apple trade. Apple imports increased 17 times in three years, reaching $85 million in 2024. At the same time, banana imports also grew at a rapid pace, exceeding $100 million for the first time. Mandarins, on the other hand, have grown even faster than bananas, reaching $95 million, taking one of the leading positions in this sector.

In general, imports of citrus fruits in Uzbekistan are growing at a very high rate. Imports of oranges have also increased fivefold, reaching $25 million. At the same time, fruits considered exotic, such as pears, dates, and kiwi, are also becoming noticeably more popular.

According to EastFruit analysts, several factors are responsible for the sharp increase in import figures. First of all, there is an increase in demand for exotic fruits due to the increase in the standard of living and income of the population. In addition, the Uzbek government has reduced customs duties on imported fruits to zero, further facilitating the free entry of imported products into the market. Although the government stated that the abolition of these duties was temporary, the terms of this privilege have been extended for several years.

At the same time, consumer habits are also changing. Previously, fruit products were mainly seasonal, but now Uzbeks prefer to consume fresh fruits throughout the year. This has led to a slight decrease in demand for dried fruits, which were traditionally widespread in winter, and, in turn, to an increase in their export volume.

These changes, undoubtedly, open up new directions not only in terms of numbers, but also in the trade policy of our country. At the same time, among the main importers in this market, countries such as Egypt, Morocco, Pakistan, Ukraine and Poland have already consolidated their positions and hope to further expand their trade relations in the future.

The Uzbek fruit market is a huge opportunity for these countries. However, the main difficulty here is to manage imports and logistics, as well as to maintain their position in a highly competitive environment. The fact that the Uzbek market is expanding further indicates that the scale of trade relations can also continue to expand.

Another positive aspect of this process is that a competitive environment is being created for local farmers and entrepreneurs, which will encourage further improvement in product quality. This situation is also beneficial for consumers, as the increase in the variety of products on the market will further expand their choice.

Thus, the Uzbek fruit market is experiencing major changes in both the export and import sectors. This will lead to the diversification of the country's economy and its deeper integration into the global trade system. Most importantly, these changes will improve the lives of the population and further enrich the country.