Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Under the leadership of the President, Uzbekistan continues to implement comprehensive measures aimed at enhancing the country’s agricultural export potential, ensuring efficient land use, and integrating the processes of cultivation, processing, storage, and distribution.

According to a presidential resolution, Uzbekistan aims to boost fruit, vegetable, and food exports to US$3.5 billion in 2025, while also securing phytosanitary permits for 30 new product types in eight foreign markets.

The agricultural sector is viewed as a strategic pillar of the national economy, helping the country navigate global challenges such as rising prices, supply disruptions, and climate change. Focus is placed not only on yields but also on crop structure, particularly onions, carrots, and oilseeds — critical for ensuring food security.

This integrated approach is generating a multiplier effect: increasing demand for seeds, agricultural equipment, logistics, and processing services, while also encouraging the development of small and medium-sized farms. Expanding crop areas and improving efficiency are helping reduce production costs and curb food price inflation. Diversification, in turn, boosts export potential — oilseeds are in demand on global markets, while vegetables dominate regional trade.

To accelerate this transformation, the Cabinet of Ministers has adopted two key resolutions:

One targets increased production, processing, and export of onions and carrots.

The other focuses on expanding the cultivation of oilseed crops.

Currently, Uzbekistan has 700,000 tonnes of dried product processing capacity, exporting to over 36 countries, including Germany, Italy, and various Asian markets.

According to official data:

Fresh onion exports totaled US$65 million in 2024, and reached US$96 million in the first half of 2025.

Carrot exports exceeded US$7 million in the same period.

A pilot initiative now allows the construction of cold storage facilities on up to 1% of land used for onions and carrots.

In fruit and vegetable-producing districts, high-yield varieties will be cultivated on at least 100 hectares using water-saving technologies such as drip and sprinkler irrigation. This approach has already doubled productivity. New measures will allow farmers to store their harvests on-site, improving logistics and reducing losses.

The new resolutions set target production indicators for 2025–2027, including the construction of cold storage, sorting, drying, packaging, and processing facilities. Specific districts have been designated for oilseed cultivation, with plans to process and export to Europe, Arab countries, and Southeast Asia.

By 2027, the number of cold storage units will increase to 2,300. Thanks to intensive farming techniques and water-saving technologies, onion production is expected to exceed 1.5 million tonnes, and carrots over 4 million tonnes, with a large share allocated for export and processing.

Up to 5% of irrigated land will be allocated for oilseeds, under scientifically justified crop rotation — no more than two consecutive years on the same plot. Oilseed procurement will be facilitated via the Ministry of Agriculture’s agri-platform. Fifty-seven districts with favorable conditions have been selected for targeted development.

Farmers will be able to participate in tenders to expand areas under high-yield varieties. Cooperative clusters will be formed in promising regions by the end of 2025. Competitions will also be held for innovative projects and applied research related to developing local onion and carrot varieties.

The resolutions also promote development of oilseed processing capacities for both domestic and export markets. For example, millet exports currently generate US$10 million annually. The adopted measures aim to significantly expand both production and export potential.

Starting in 2026, land allocated to oilseed crops will be monitored precisely. A scientifically-based crop rotation system is being implemented on 500 hectares. Farmers in 57 districts and the city of Kuvasay will participate in competitions for seed production. All relevant data will be tracked via the Ministry’s agri-platform.

Total land under oilseeds will grow from 212,000 to over 300,000 hectares. The Institute of Plant Genetic Resources will cultivate 50 tonnes of seeds on 61 hectares, which will be distributed to local farmers.

The priority moving forward is to scale innovation and research to increase both yields and product quality, helping boost farmers’ incomes and improve public welfare.