Uzbekistan has witnessed an uptick in the export of fruits and vegetables, marking a substantial increase from the previous year's figures. As per the data released by the Statistics Agency, a staggering 146,300 tons of fruits and vegetables were exported in January 2024, amounting to a total value of $75.4mn.
Comparatively, this export volume reflects a remarkable growth rate, soaring by 2.2 times or 78,800 tons when juxtaposed with the corresponding period of 2023. This surge underscores Uzbekistan's burgeoning position in the global market for agricultural produce, highlighting its potential as a major player in the industry.
Key export markets for Uzbekistan's fruit and vegetable products in January 2024 included Russia, accounting for 27.2% of exports, followed by Pakistan (21.2%), China (13.4%), and Kazakhstan (9.2%). These nations continue to represent significant avenues for Uzbekistan's agricultural exports, facilitating the expansion of its presence on the international stage.
Remarkably, the export of fruits and vegetables constituted 6.8% of Uzbekistan's total export volume for the month, signifying the crucial role played by this sector in the country's overall trade dynamics.
In fact, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev convened a high-level meeting on February 2 to address pivotal issues concerning the development of fruit and vegetable cultivation and the broader enhancement of Uzbekistan's food chain. Despite a commendable 4.1% growth in the agricultural sector witnessed in 2023, with exports reaching approximately $2bn, President Mirziyoyev underscored the untapped potential that remains, stressing the imperative for further advancements.
The meeting delineated a series of strategic objectives for the current year, aimed at bolstering agricultural exports to a projected $3.5bn. Central to this vision is a concerted effort to ramp up the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, pulse crops, grapes, and leguminous products. Additionally, plans are underway to establish 20 additional mobile laboratories integrated into the "uzagrolab.uz" electronic platform, coupled with initiatives to digitize pesticide circulation processes, thereby mitigating the influx and illicit trade of substandard pesticides.
Moreover, modern infrastructures dedicated to the export of fruit and vegetable products will be developed at key international airports in Fergana, Samarkand, and Tashkent. International experts will be enlisted to augment the expertise of plant protection workers, while comprehensive manuals will be crafted for each product, encompassing guidelines for cultivation, storage, packaging, and delivery.
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