Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev chaired a video conference focused on increasing the country’s exports of fruits, vegetables, and other food products.

The Head of State noted that over the past three years, 250,000 hectares of cotton and grain fields have been converted to food production, 160,000 hectares of new orchards and vineyards have been established, 107,000 hectares of old plantations have been renewed, and 1,500 food production projects worth a total of US$1 billion have been launched. In addition, storage facilities for 100,000 tons, drying capacity for 70,000 tons, and sorting and packaging lines for 46,000 tons of produce have been created.

Uzbekistan’s agricultural reforms are gaining international recognition. Earlier this month, the country was elected a member of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Council.
“This is a major opportunity to advance national and regional initiatives and attract funding for new projects,” the President emphasized.

He pointed out that the global situation is changing rapidly, with climate anomalies — extreme heat and cold — now recurring every year. In such conditions, every export market is of critical importance and, when necessary, becomes a priority area of economic security.

The President stressed that sector leaders and regional governors should not use weather conditions as an excuse but instead adapt by cultivating crops resilient to heat, cold, and water scarcity.

In the past six months alone, Uzbekistan’s food exports grew by 44%, reaching US$1.326 billion, with the export geography expanding to 16 new countries. However, the regions of Surkhandarya and Tashkent, as well as the Republic of Karakalpakstan, are lagging behind others in terms of fruit and vegetable exports. Navoi region also failed to match last year’s figures.

The President underscored the need for more active efforts in these regions, including by government representatives assigned to them. In 21 districts, export volumes fell below 70% of last year’s level, despite having 80,000 hectares of non-cotton and non-grain fields and 55,000 hectares of household plots available. Local governors in these 21 districts were tasked with developing specific action plans together with regional authorities.

“Thanks to the high quality and sweetness of our produce, the ‘Made in Uzbekistan’ brand has established a strong reputation in foreign markets,” President Mirziyoyev said. At the same time, he criticized the practice of some traders who, seeking higher profits, export unripe fruits. As a result, foreign retail chains have rejected thousands of tons of Uzbek produce in its raw form.

The President particularly stressed that such practices could lead to the loss of Uzbekistan’s competitive position in foreign markets.

In conclusion, the Head of State urged embassies and consulates abroad to play a more active role in promoting exports.

He noted that this year, 80 percent of Uzbekistan’s fruit and vegetable exports were directed to just five countries — Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, and China. At the same time, compared to last year, export volumes to South Korea, Hungary, Malaysia, Poland, and Kazakhstan have declined.

It was also emphasized that exports to the United Kingdom, Italy, Sweden, Japan, India, and Qatar fell short of expectations. The President criticized the low level of engagement of trade advisors at Uzbek embassies in this area.

Ambassadors were instructed to work closely with export companies to help them identify markets, organize trade exhibitions, establish trade houses and warehouses, and assist in obtaining product certifications.

Earlier this year, a system of “fruit — region — foreign country” was introduced. However, the President noted that ministries, agencies, and local authorities continue to operate with outdated methods.

Last year, 75 percent of fruit and vegetable exports occurred between May and October, when global markets were already saturated and prices were low. Yet from November to March, prices are two to three times higher.

The President underlined that if officials responsible for exports are unable to innovate, they should learn from entrepreneurs. For example, while in the past one kilogram of cherries could not be sold for even 30 cents, this year leading exporters shipped 9,000 tons of shock-frozen cherries worth US$26 million. Moreover, due to domestic shortages, entrepreneurs began importing cherries, freezing them, and re-exporting them.

In this regard, the President highlighted the need to expand the cultivation of export-oriented crops, especially cherries, on farmland.

Due to water shortages this year, 2,600 hectares of crops were lost. At the same time, districts such as Jondor, Ohangaron, Gallaorol, Turakurgan, and Yangibazar successfully applied drip irrigation methods. Regional governors were instructed to introduce this practice on all 2,600 hectares of damaged crops.

It was further noted that exports in modern packaging can generate higher revenues. This year, 16 projects for the production of modern containers have been launched in the regions, and work in this area will be intensified, with an additional 15 enterprises planned for commissioning by the end of the year.

Legumes were identified as one of the largest untapped reserves in exports. Each year, Uzbekistan exports beans, mung beans, millet, and chickpeas worth around US$450 million. However, since these crops ripen at the same time as cotton and there is a shortage of labor, up to 30 percent of the harvest is lost. No governor has yet calculated that the country loses between US$150 million and US$200 million in export revenues solely due to these uncollected crops — without even considering the potential expansion of planting areas.

Across the world, farmers harvest legumes using specialized combines. To support this practice, it was announced that the Agricultural Fund will provide subsidies of up to 15 percent for equipment used in sowing and harvesting legumes, while the government will compensate any loan interest rates exceeding 10 percent.

Officials have been instructed to launch this mechanism within one month and to import 200 units of such machinery by the end of the year.

Due to shortages of legumes, entrepreneurs are currently forced to import them, process them, and then re-export them. However, exporters incur additional domestic transportation costs since, under existing regulations, products must be exported through the same border checkpoint where they were originally imported.

To address this issue, the State Customs Committee has been tasked with introducing a system that allows re-export of processed products through any customs post.

It was also noted that planting new orchards and rejuvenating old ones will require 350 million fruit tree seedlings that are virus-free, high-yield, and export-oriented.

In 16 districts of the country, Agrostar companies have been established. They are expected to focus primarily on increasing the production of modern agricultural inputs such as seeds, seedlings, and fertilizers.

Officials have been instructed to create modern in vitro laboratories for Agrostar and to commission one modern agro-complex in each of the 16 districts. These complexes will provide storage, packaging, sorting, and processing facilities.

Currently, Uzbekistan has 5,100 hectares of greenhouses, and over the past seven years, production from them has increased from 110,000 tons to 546,000 tons.

However, entrepreneurs point to heavy credit burdens, high fertilizer costs, and unstable gas supplies. As a result, operations on more than 600 hectares of greenhouse land have been suspended, while 128 hectares have been transferred to banks due to debts.

To address these challenges, support measures for greenhouse farms were announced. In particular:

Greenhouses operating on natural gas and committing to produce not only for the domestic market but also for export will be provided with guaranteed gas supplies during the winter season.

Greenhouses currently using coal or alternative heating systems that commit to exporting their produce will be allowed to switch back to natural gas.

To ensure adequate working capital, gas prepayments for the October–March period will be set at 50 percent, with contracts required to be signed with gas companies by October 1.

For greenhouses that have switched from natural gas to coal or other alternative heating systems, the terms of existing loans will be extended.

Greenhouses using heat pump technologies will have up to 20 percent of their expenses compensated, and if these costs are financed through loans, up to 4 percent of the interest rate will be covered.

From now on, all greenhouses, regardless of category, will pay land tax at the rates applied to agricultural land. Furthermore, until 2028, the social tax rate for greenhouse workers will be reduced from 12 percent to 1 percent.

The State Tax Committee has been instructed to mobilize its entire system, including analytical and research centers, to assess which industries received the gas volumes cut from greenhouses and how effectively they are being utilized. If these industries are found to generate lower added value, the gas will be redirected back to greenhouses.

Taking into account the environmental situation, the President set the task of definitively resolving the problems caused by the negative impact of greenhouse operations in the Tashkent region on air quality.

“Let everyone hear this clearly: greenhouses are a matter of food and economic security,”
the President declared.

The relevant agencies have been instructed to establish strict oversight in this sphere.

It was noted that the introduction of water-saving technologies on 200,000 hectares has yielded significant results. As a result, 420 million cubic meters of water were saved, and the opportunity was created to cultivate fruits and vegetables on an additional 65,000 hectares.

Last year, 2.6 trillion soums were allocated for these measures, while 1.2 trillion soums have been provided this year. By the end of the year, drip and sprinkler irrigation systems are expected to be introduced on another 10,000 hectares, along with the purchase of 1,000 units of equipment for laser leveling of 200,000 hectares of farmland.

The Ministry of Economy and Finance has been tasked with ensuring funding for the current year and forming resources amounting to 2 trillion soums for the program next year.

The President stressed that legislation on field-border crop cultivation, on agricultural cooperation, and the adoption of a new Water Code will help strengthen food security amid water shortages. From now on, deputies and senators, as well as members of local Kengashes, must play a more active role in boosting agricultural profitability, stimulating exports, training entrepreneurs in implementing standards and obtaining certifications, and submitting legislative initiatives where appropriate.

The government has been instructed to establish a dedicated headquarters and launch a permanent dialogue platform for exporters, greenhouse operators, and other fruit and vegetable producers. This platform will identify all their challenges in cooperation with state agencies and ensure they are promptly addressed on the ground.

The meeting also reviewed best practices of leading entrepreneurs and heard reports from responsible officials.