President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan held a meeting on March 18 to discuss boosting investments and exports in agriculture and food industry, as well as engaging in dialogue with entrepreneurs in these sectors.
Currently, 2362 companies are involved in exporting agricultural products, accounting for 32% of all exporters (7210). Last year, Uzbekistan entered over 10 new markets including Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Colombia, and Indonesia, with the number of countries receiving Uzbek products reaching 85.
However, 80% of exports are concentrated in just 5 countries, with the majority of agricultural exports being sold at prices below $1 per kilogram. President Mirziyoyev highlighted the need to explore new markets, resolve permit and certification issues, and address logistical challenges to increase export revenues.
The President pointed out that significant portions of exported grapes, cherries, peaches, persimmons, apricots, plums, figs, pomegranates, almonds, beans, and lentils are sold at prices below $1 per kilogram, raising concerns about fair pricing and missed economic opportunities for Uzbekistan.
Moreover, 60% of the total volume of fruit and vegetable exports consist of 10 product categories. President Mirziyoyev expressed worries about the high production costs and the use of substandard materials by some in the packaging process, leading to a loss of market share for Uzbek products abroad.
Acknowledging the fierce competition in international markets, the President stressed the importance of quality control and branding to maintain Uzbekistan's position as a reliable supplier. He also addressed the issue of outstanding debts amounting to $300 million owed by 1000 exporting enterprises.
During the meeting, it was decided to establish a commission led by the Prime Minister to oversee the export of fruits, vegetables, and food products. President Mirziyoyev supported initiatives to transfer trading houses to businesses, set up laboratories, grant self-employed status to backyard farmers, and implement other measures to support the agricultural sector.
Reiterating the significance of exports, President Mirziyoyev emphasized that controlling inflation and stabilizing the currency are closely linked to export activities. He emphasized that without creating favorable conditions for exports, efforts to boost production will not yield the desired results.
