Uzbekistan has achieved a new milestone in its agricultural trade, setting an annual watermelon export record within just the first two months of the 2025 season, according to EastFruit.

The country exported 127,400 tons of fresh watermelon in May and June 2025 — 22% more than the previous annual record set in 2023. The achievement comes before the peak summer months, traditionally the busiest period for melon exports.
Data from the National Statistics Committee shows that Russia accounted for more than half of shipments (66,000 tons), followed by Kazakhstan (41,900 tons) and Kyrgyzstan (17,700 tons). Smaller volumes reached Belarus (968 tons), Mongolia (618 tons), and other destinations (180 tons).
Large-scale exports of the new harvest typically begin in May, but in recent years Uzbekistan’s producers have advanced their market entry by adopting greenhouse technologies. This shift has allowed for higher early-season volumes, giving the country a competitive edge in regional markets.
President called for wider export markets
On July 30, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev criticized some Uzbek exporters for prioritizing raw fruit shipments abroad for higher profits, saying this practice has caused many foreign retail chains to reject the country’s produce.
He noted that 80% of Uzbekistan’s fruit and vegetable exports go to just five countries — Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, and China — while sales to markets like South Korea, Hungary, Malaysia, Poland, and even Kazakhstan have declined. Exports to the UK, Italy, Sweden, Japan, India, and Qatar remain well below targets.
The president called for diversifying and expanding export destinations to protect economic stability in the face of global market shifts and unpredictable climate conditions.
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