Weather Is No Excuse: Uzbekistan Urged to Adapt Exports to Reality
Uzbekistan
Global weather extremes and geopolitical shifts have forced Uzbekistan to rethink how it approaches food exports.
During a videoconference led by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, attention was drawn to growing international instability and recurring extreme weather patterns such as heatwaves and cold snaps, which have become a new normal.
The President emphasized that every export market is now of strategic importance, and adaptation—not excuses—is vital. He called on officials to grow crops suited to drought and temperature extremes, rather than blame weather conditions for underperformance.
In the first half of 2025, Uzbekistan’s food exports rose by 44%, reaching $1.326 billion, with the number of export destinations expanding by 16 countries.
However, regions such as Surkhandarya, Tashkent, and Karakalpakstan are lagging behind, with Navoi region failing to even match last year’s figures.
In 21 districts, export volume has fallen below 70% of 2024 levels, despite having 80,000 hectares of fallow land and 55,000 hectares of household plots. Local governors were instructed to develop immediate action plans together with regional authorities.
President Mirziyoyev reminded that Uzbek products have gained global recognition for their quality and taste, forming the respected "Made in Uzbekistan" brand.
Yet, some exporters, seeking quick profits, have been sending unripe fruit abroad, which led foreign retail chains to reject thousands of tons of goods.
This, the President warned, could result in Uzbekistan losing its hard-won place on global markets.
The President emphasized that every export market is now of strategic importance, and adaptation—not excuses—is vital. He called on officials to grow crops suited to drought and temperature extremes, rather than blame weather conditions for underperformance.
In the first half of 2025, Uzbekistan’s food exports rose by 44%, reaching $1.326 billion, with the number of export destinations expanding by 16 countries.
However, regions such as Surkhandarya, Tashkent, and Karakalpakstan are lagging behind, with Navoi region failing to even match last year’s figures.
In 21 districts, export volume has fallen below 70% of 2024 levels, despite having 80,000 hectares of fallow land and 55,000 hectares of household plots. Local governors were instructed to develop immediate action plans together with regional authorities.
President Mirziyoyev reminded that Uzbek products have gained global recognition for their quality and taste, forming the respected "Made in Uzbekistan" brand.
Yet, some exporters, seeking quick profits, have been sending unripe fruit abroad, which led foreign retail chains to reject thousands of tons of goods.
This, the President warned, could result in Uzbekistan losing its hard-won place on global markets.
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