Uzbekistan Implements Green, Yellow, and Red Export Corridors

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Uzbekistan has introduced a new risk management system (SUR) for fruit and vegetable exports, aimed at increasing transparency, ensuring phytosanitary safety, and improving the accuracy of export statistics.

Previously, some exporters deliberately underreported export prices to evade taxes, resulting in undocumented goods valued at US$192 million. Additionally, more than 700 notifications were received from importing countries regarding agricultural products that did not meet food safety requirements. In January 2026, goods worth US$37.5 million were also omitted from export statistics, including 45 notifications from Russia.

The SUR system classifies exporting enterprises into three categories:

The Green Corridor (low risk) includes companies that source products from phytosanitary-compliant zones, use modern packaging, accurately declare the region of origin, and have no record of product returns or phytosanitary violations. Export procedures for these companies are simplified, and controls are minimal.

The Yellow Corridor (medium risk) applies to enterprises that repeatedly violate requirements. After receiving a warning, companies have five days to rectify violations before they may be moved to the Green Corridor. Controls are selective, with mandatory laboratory testing for high-risk products such as grapes, tomatoes, pomegranates, lemons, cauliflower, and leafy greens.

The Red Corridor (high risk) covers companies that fail to correct identified violations. They receive a warning with a specified deadline for compliance, and services are suspended until issues are resolved.

The implementation of the SUR system aligns with international best practices and is intended to reduce the shadow economy, ensure full tax collection, increase exports of phytosanitary-compliant products, and minimize the risk of restrictions imposed by foreign governments.