Potato imports to Uzbekistan have decreased for the first time in five years

In 2022, the volume of imports of marketable potatoes to Uzbekistan decreased for the first time in the past few years. Although the drop in imports was rather symbolic, they can state the lack of growth and the fact that last year’s record was not updated, EastFruit analysts inform.

Until 2016, the annual volume of potato imports to Uzbekistan did not exceed 50 000 tonnes per year. However, the imports started growing in 2017 and there was a steady increase in the imports of potatoes until 2021, every year updating the record of the previous year.

Thus, potatoes have become the main import commodity of the fruit and vegetable sector of Uzbekistan. From 2017 to 2021, the volume of potato imports increased from 193 600 tonnes to 547 200 tonnes – 2.8 times.

According to international trade statistics, in January-December 2022, the volume of imports of potatoes to Uzbekistan amounted to 532 500 tonnes, which is 14 700 tonnes or 2.7% less than in 2021.
  In 2022, 3 441 700 tonnes of potatoes were produced in Uzbekistan, which is 156 100 tonnes or 4.8% more than in 2021. Starting from mid-July 2022, wholesale potato prices in Uzbekistan have been stable and did not fluctuate much.

According to EastFruit price monitoring, the average wholesale price from July 15 to December 31, 2022, was in the range of 4 000 – 4 500 UZS/kg (USD 0.36 – USD 0.40), except for a short period in the second half of August last of the year.

In January 2023, wholesale prices for potatoes in Uzbekistan reacted to the anomalous cold with a sharp increase – from 4 000 to 5 000 UZS/kg (from USD 0.35 to USD 0.44) from January 6 to 20, as well as other types of vegetables.

However, from January 20 to February 17, 2023, the average wholesale prices for potatoes decreased from 5 000 to 4 300 UZS/kg (from USD 0.44 to USD 0.38). As of February 17, 2023, the average wholesale price of potatoes in Uzbekistan was 7.5% higher than on the same date last year.