Agriculture is an important sector of Uzbekistan’s economy, accounting for approximately 19% of GDP and employing about 24% of the labor force. Cotton and grain are the country’s principal crops, but the elimination of quotas and price controls in 2020-2021 facilitated a shift towards higher-value fruit and vegetable cultivation. To continue the sector’s liberalization and reflecting a steep rise in global wheat prices in 2022, the state switched to market prices starting from June 2022, when purchasing and selling grain. Exports of agricultural products contributed approximately 8.2% to Uzbekistan’s external earnings in 2024, primarily to Russia, Pakistan and Kazakhstan.
The country produced 9 million tons of grain, 3 million tons of cotton, 16 million tons of vegetables and melons, 5 million tons of fruits, 4 million tons of potatoes, 2.9 million tons of meat, and 12.4 million tons of milk in 2024. The further development of processing and packaging capabilities to add value to domestic and export products remains a priority. Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Centers are being created in 2022-2026 in all regions, providing more than 100 types of agricultural services on a one-stop shop basis, including such important services as improving soil conditions, combating plant diseases, and selecting seeds.
Presidential Resolution #PP-136 “On additional measures to increase export potential and develop the agricultural product processing chain” issued in April 2025, set the following targets for storing, packaging and export of agricultural products between 2025 and 2027: 1) increase the export of fruits and vegetables and food products to $3.5 billion in 2025; 2) obtain phytosanitary permits for the export of 30 new types of products to eight countries by the end of 2025; 3) increase the fruit and vegetable processing capacity from 3,488 thousand tons in 2024 to 4,480 thousand tons in 2027; 4) expand refrigerator warehousing capacity from 1,306 thousand tons in 2024 to 1,930 thousand tons in 2027; 5) launch the packaging production projects worth $40.8 million in 2025 to package 2.1 million tons of fruits and vegetables.
Uzbekistan also seeks to invest in the modernization of its irrigation infrastructure. Agriculture consumes 90% of the country’s water resources. The state is subsidizing the adoption of water-saving technologies. Uzbekistan ranked among the bottom 20 countries in the world in 2023 in terms of water productivity, according to the World Bank, and produced only $0.6 per cubic meter of water compared with a global average of $15 per cubic meter. In May 2025 the World Bank approved a $200 million concessional loan to support Uzbekistan in modernizing its irrigation and drainage infrastructure and improving the quality of irrigation service delivery. The project aims to reduce water losses and increase the energy efficiency of irrigation systems across five regions of the country. The government will provide $23.2 million in co-financing. The government is also organizing tenders for the transfer of management of pumping stations to the private sector on a public-private partnership basis to increase the energy efficiency of pumping stations.
Table: Agriculture Market Size, million USD
| 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 estimated |
Total Exports | 1,632 | 1,778 | 2,175 | 2,500 |
Total Imports | 3,393 | 3,496 | 3,696 | 4,000 |
Imports from the US | 2.3 | 4.9 | 5.8 | N/A |
Trade Surplus/Deficit* | -1,761 | -1,718 | -1,521 | -1,500 |
Exchange Rates** | 11,051 | 11,737 | 12,653 | 12,900 |
*Trade Surplus/Deficit = Total Exports – Total Imports
** Exchange Rates = Uzbek soums per $1.
Units: $ millions
Source: The State Statistics committee of Uzbekistan. Data for 2025 was estimated by Post using company project implementation progress reports. Data on imports from the U.S. is from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Leading Sub-sectors
- Cattle breeding and poultry farming
- Seeds and seedlings (berries, fruits, nuts, vegetables, melons)
- Seeds and seedlings of ornamental plants (flowers)
- Technical solutions for microclimate control in greenhouses
- Mills producing feed and feed additives for poultry
- Storage, packaging and processing of fresh vegetables and fruits
- Water-saving irrigation technologies
- Pumping stations for water supply systems.
Opportunities
For specific opportunities, businesses should contact companies involved in Uzbekistan’s agricultural industry.
Resources
U.S. companies and individuals interested in learning more about upcoming procurements and export opportunities are encouraged to visit the following websites: