Uzbekistan Declares 2026–2030 as the “Priority Period for Food Security”

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan has decreed that the years 2026–2030 will be designated as the “Priority Period for Food Security.”

During this period, measures will be implemented to ensure the population has access to high-quality food in sufficient quantities, prevent waste, raise awareness among children and adults about proper nutrition, and organize the processing of food waste.

Particular attention will be given to monitoring compliance with regulations governing weddings and other family celebrations.

It is recalled that in 2020, the parliament approved regulations for holding such events, including restrictions on the number of participants, and introduced penalties for violations. In practice, however, these requirements were often disregarded, as previously noted by “Gazeta.” In the spring of 2025, plans were announced to develop a new framework to better regulate such gatherings.

The decree also approves the implementation plan for the “Rational Consumption” (Save Food) program, aimed at reducing food waste and preventing inefficiencies in the public catering sector. Starting July 1, 2026, catering enterprises will be allowed to connect to centralized wastewater systems only if equipped with grease traps, which must be cleaned monthly, and the collected grease waste must be sent for processing.

The plan foresees the production of secondary raw materials from used fats, including household soap, animal feed, and other products.

Catering establishments using gas, wood, or coal for cooking will be required to install devices to capture pollutants and odors, reducing environmental impact. From January 1 of the following year, the use of organic fertilizers derived from food waste for agricultural production is expected to be expanded.

To minimize food losses, monitoring will be introduced across the entire supply chain—from collection and packaging to transportation and storage. Retail outlets will increasingly implement discount systems for products approaching their expiration dates.

Additionally, urban planning standards and regulations will be updated to include requirements for ventilation and air purification systems in catering establishments.