Uzbekistan and Japan Plan Uzbek Raisin Recipe Contest

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan and representatives of Japanese companies have agreed to hold a competition for the best recipe using Uzbek raisins as part of efforts to increase exports to Japan, the Food Safety Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan said.

Azizbek Urunov, chairman of the committee, met with representatives of Japanese companies operating in food trade, logistics, production technologies, and industrial solutions. Discussions focused on boosting exports of Uzbek food products to Japan.

According to the committee, phytosanitary approval has been obtained for the export of 72 types of agricultural products to Japan. Japanese consumers already regularly purchase grapes, pomegranates, legumes, melons, and dried products grown and produced in Uzbekistan.

Representatives from Kanto Shoji and Tokura Shoji expressed interest in premium-segment products. The sides discussed ways to increase Uzbek raisin exports and agreed to organize a recipe contest to promote raisins not only as a traditional dried fruit, but also as an ingredient in modern gastronomy and confectionery.

As part of the competition, prominent Japanese chefs and pastry artists will create desserts and baked goods featuring Uzbek raisins for local consumers. The initiative aims to showcase the quality and gastronomic potential of Uzbek raisins to boost their popularity in the Japanese market.

The meeting also addressed compliance with food safety requirements for Uzbek shipments. Uzbek officials informed the Japanese delegation of measures being implemented under a farm-to-table control system, alongside efforts to adopt international standards to secure safe, high-quality products for domestic and export markets.