Kazakhstan ranks among the top three importers of Uzbek fruit and vegetable products. In 2024, Uzbekistan exported 520,500 tons of fresh and dried fruits and vegetables to Kazakhstan, accounting for 25.6% of the country's total fruit and vegetable exports, according to the Agency of Statistics under the President of Uzbekistan.
Kazakhstan was second in terms of import volume, following Russia, which accounted for 40.1% of Uzbekistan's total fruit and vegetable exports. Kyrgyzstan also made it into the top three, but its share was significantly lower at 7.5%.
Overall, Uzbekistan increased its fruit and vegetable exports by 15.6% in volume and 31.2% in value in 2024, earning $1.5 billion from foreign buyers.
- Russia was the largest market, purchasing $632.9 million worth of Uzbek produce, a 44.7% increase from the previous year.
- Pakistan ranked second, importing $192.3 million worth of produce.
- Kazakhstan saw a 56.6% increase in imports, totaling $189.8 million.
Uzbekistan's growing trade with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) (Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan) is partly due to its observer status in the union. Uzbek officials, including President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, have expressed interest in joining a unified customs transit system with EAEU countries to ease logistics and implement electronic trade data exchange.
Three key vegetables—onions, cabbage, and carrots—accounted for 39% of Uzbekistan's total fruit and vegetable exports in 2024.
- Onion, cabbage, and carrot exports: 584,100 tons ($130.1 million).
- Grapes, peaches, and apricots: 276,500 tons ($254.8 million), with demand rising: grapes: +51%, apricots: +52.9%, peaches: +43.6%
Kazakhstan imported large quantities of Uzbek vegetables and fruits, including:
- Onions – 122,600 tons
- Cabbage – 70,700 tons
- Potatoes – 55,500 tons (down 18.7% due to supply shortages in Uzbekistan)
- Melons and watermelons – 46,900 tons ($9.4 million)
- Stone fruits (apricots, peaches, cherries, etc.) – 35,100 tons ($39.2 million, a 49.3% price increase despite a 12.6% drop in volume).
Kazakhstan, which depends on imports for many fruit and vegetable products, saw faster price increases:
- Fruit prices rose 12.4% in Kazakhstan, while they fell 18.2% in Uzbekistan.
- Vegetable prices rose 3.8% in Kazakhstan, while they increased by only 0.7% in Uzbekistan.
- Potato prices increased similarly in both countries: +37.7% in Kazakhstan and +39.9% in Uzbekistan.
Source: ranking.kz