Uzbekistan exported over 157,000 tons of onions, setting a new record, EastFruit reports.
Uzbekistan has experienced a surge in onion exports, reaching record-breaking volumes, benefited greatly from an onion shortage in Europe and the Middle East which resulted in higher demand for Uzbek onions. After lifting export restrictions on March 15, 2023, Uzbekistan wasted no time in taking advantage of this opportunity.
During the 2.5 months from mid-March to the end of May 2023, Uzbekistan exported over 157,000 tons of onions, setting a new record for such a short period of time. This remarkable achievement generated export revenue totaling $29.2mn.
Even though onion exports were prohibited until mid-March, cumulative shipments in 2023 have already surpassed those of the previous year by 33%. Furthermore, the export geography has significantly expanded. While Uzbek onions were primarily shipped to six countries within the region and Ukraine a year ago, in 2023, they have found their way to 18 countries.
Among the countries that have imported onions from Uzbekistan are five European Union members: Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, and the Czech Republic. Additionally, significant volumes of Uzbek onions were delivered to Eastern European countries such as Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia. Surprisingly, even countries like Pakistan and Iraq, not commonly associated with onion imports, were among the importers.
The following is a comprehensive list of countries-importers and the quantities of onion shipments received from Uzbekistan:
Kazakhstan: 92,300 tons (58.8% of total exports)
Russia: 47,300 tons (30.2%)
Kyrgyzstan: 7,100 tons (4.5%)
Belarus: 3,100 tons (2.0%)
Latvia: 1,900 tons (1.2%)
Afghanistan: 1,600 tons (1.0%)
Ukraine: 1,100 tons (0.7%)
Poland: 952 tons (0.6%)
Tajikistan: 473 tons (0.3%)
Turkmenistan: 331 tons (0.2%)
Moldova: 255 tons (0.2%)
Lithuania: 191 tons (0.1%)
Georgia: 130 tons (0.1%)
Estonia: 111 tons (0.1%)
Pakistan: 51 tons
Iraq: 47 tons
Czech Republic: 20 tons
Mongolia: 16 tons
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