Cement production in Tajikistan saw a notable decline in 2024, with output falling to 4.3mn tons, down by 104,000 tons compared to the previous year. The Ministry of Industry and New Technologies attributes this reduction to changes in demand from key international markets, notably Uzbekistan.
Tajikistan’s cement exports to Uzbekistan experienced a sharp decline, dropping to 260,200 tons in 2024, compared to 342,000 tons in 2023. Overall, Tajikistan's cement exports totaled 655,000 tons, marking a decrease of 286,000 tons, or 30.4%, year-on-year.
The decrease in exports to Uzbekistan is largely attributed to a substantial increase in customs duties imposed by Uzbek authorities. In November 2023, the fee for cement importation was raised nearly ninefold, from $35 to $300 per ton. This change has made Tajik cement less competitive in the Uzbek market.
Tajik cement producers have voiced concerns that the hike in customs duties was driven by pressure from Uzbekistan’s local cement industry. While there has been no official confirmation of collusion, Tajikistan’s Ministry of Industry acknowledged that the move was intended to protect local production in Uzbekistan.
This is not the first time trade relations have been affected by cement import regulations between the two countries. In 2020, Uzbekistan imposed a temporary ban on cement imports from Tajikistan, which was lifted just three weeks later. Similarly, Tajikistan imposed a short-lived ban on cement exports in 2023 for five days to ensure supply for domestic strategic projects.
Historically, Tajikistan, along with Kyrgyzstan, was a major supplier of cement to Uzbekistan. However, following the sharp rise in customs duties, Tajikistan’s cement exports to Uzbekistan have been virtually halted, leaving a gap in the trade flow.
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