Uzbekistan is prepared to increase its imports of fruits from Egypt and Morocco, as it was disclosed by EastFruit on May 24.
A trade mission was organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for exporters from Morocco and Egypt to Uzbekistan on May 21-22, 2023. This initiative aimed to strengthen trade relations and expand market access for agricultural products between these regions.
Following the trade mission, Andriy Yarmak, Project Leader and Economist at the Investment Centre of FAO, shared several observations:
Increase in Egyptian Orange Exports: Yarmak highlighted the potential for a substantial increase in exports of fresh oranges from Egypt to Central Asia. This development is expected to meet the rising demand for fresh fruit in the region.
Affordable Moroccan Berries: Direct supplies of fresh berries from Morocco, primarily blueberries and raspberries, are anticipated to make these fruits more accessible and affordable in Uzbekistan.
Rising Date Imports from Egypt: The share of dates supplied from Egypt to Uzbekistan and Tajikistan is expected to increase, thereby intensifying competition and putting pressure on Iranian suppliers.
Interest in Egyptian Strawberries: Both frozen and fresh strawberries from Egypt have garnered significant interest. Importers expressed a desire for contact information for numerous suppliers, particularly for fresh strawberries during the winter season.
Premium Mandarins from Morocco: The supply of premium mandarins from Morocco is expected to rise in the Uzbek and potentially Kazakh markets, providing consumers with more high-quality options.
High Demand for Egyptian Mangoes: Egyptian mangoes have attracted considerable interest in Uzbekistan, a market currently dominated by Chinese suppliers.
Potential for Avocados and Citrus: Opportunities also exist for the import of fresh avocados from Morocco, as well as mandarins and possibly lemons from Egypt to Uzbekistan.
Participation and Engagement
The trade mission saw active participation from 11 suppliers from Egypt and Morocco, alongside over 20 prominent importers and supermarket chains from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. The mission was supported by associations such as HEIA and AEC from Egypt, and FoodEx from Morocco. Supermarket chains including Korzinka, Makro, B1, Havas, and Amid were particularly active in the negotiations, reflecting their expansion efforts in these markets.
The FoodCity wholesale market demonstrated a high level of professionalism during the trade mission. Management at FoodCity invited suppliers to tour their facilities, showcasing the conditions for trade and the temporary storage of products in modern, temperature-controlled warehouses. As a result, some exporters decided to open representative offices and rent trade facilities at the FoodCity market.
Impressions of Tashkent
Participants from Egypt and Morocco expressed positive impressions of Tashkent, noting the city’s cleanliness, the hospitality of its residents, and the quality of Uzbek cuisine. Many participants indicated a desire to return to Uzbekistan as tourists, with plans to visit cities such as Samarkand and Bukhara.
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