Uzbekistan - Country Commercial Guide
Agricultural Sectors

This is a best prospect industry sector for this country.  Includes a market overview and trade data.

Last published date: 2020-10-14

Overview

Agriculture is an important sector of Uzbekistan’s economy, accounting for approximately 25.5% of GDP and employing about 27% of the labor force.  Cotton and grain are the country’s principal crops, but the elimination of quotas and price controls in 2020-2021 will facilitate a shift to higher-value fruit and vegetable cultivation.  Exports of agricultural products contributed approximately 9.8% to Uzbekistan’s external earnings in 2019.  The government hopes to increase agricultural productivity through the adoption of new technologies, and to further develop processing and packaging capabilities to add value to domestic and export products.  The government plans to develop the country’s textile sector, improve the value added chain and hence process more of its own raw cotton into intermediary or consumer goods for export.

To improve the country’s food security, the Government of Uzbekistan has emphasized wheat production and supported poultry and animal farming over the past few years.  Moreover, the profitability of fresh fruit and vegetables has increased in recent years and local farmers have aggressive plans for developing export markets for these products.

 

 

2017

2018

2019

2020 estimated

Total Local Production

17,766

14,086

14,775

15,300

Total Exports

1,599

1,319

1,764

2,000

Total Imports

900

1,259

1,520

1,800

Imports from the US

3.5

2.3

1.07

N/A

Total Market Size*

20,265

14,026

14,531

15,500

Exchange Rates**

5,121

8,069

8,839

10,200

*Total market size = (total local production + imports) – exports
** Exchange Rates = Uzbek soums per $1. On September 5, 2017 national currency soum was devalued from 4,210.35 soums per $1 to 8,100 soums per $1.
Units: $ millions
Source: The State Statistics committee of Uzbekistan. Data for 2020 was estimated by Post using company project implementation progress reports.  Imports from the U.S.  data 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 for the production of feed and feed additives for poultry;
  • Storage, packaging and processing of fresh vegetables and fruits;
  • Fertilizers;
  • Water-saving irrigation technologies;
  • Pumping stations for water supply systems.

Opportunities

For specific opportunities, businesses should contact companies involved in the Uzbekistan’s agricultural industry. 

Web Resources

U.S.  companies and individuals interested in learning more about upcoming procurements and export opportunities are encouraged to visit the following websites: