Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 20 November, the UN Working Group on Agricultural Quality Standards for Agricultural Quality Standards adopted the first international standard for dried melons, initiated by Uzbekistan, Dunyo reported.

The Commission’s press release, timed to the adoption of the document, notes that more than 9 million tons of various types of melons are produced annually worldwide. Most melons are consumed fresh, which leads to an abundance of available products in many regions of the world, including Central Asia. In Uzbekistan, from the production of 1 million tons per year of melons, only about 27 thousand tons are exported.

In recent years, investments in modern drying equipment in the republic have led to an increase in the export of dried melons and created employment opportunities. As you know, dried melons retain most of their valuable nutrients and vitamins, including A, P, C and have natural healing powers and energy.

The first international quality standard for dried melons was developed by experts of the Uzstandard Agency and interested ministries and departments of the republic with the support of the Working Group on Quality Standards. This expert group with technical working groups in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan is supported by UNECE, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the Austrian Hilfswerk Austria International and the German Development Agency (GIZ).

Improving the quality of dried melons in Uzbekistan and other producing countries will help expand the presence of these products in export markets and consumers around the world. This will provide local producers with opportunities to increase income and employment, contributing to progress towards the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.