Experts from the Institute of Macroeconomic and Regional Studies have conducted a comprehensive analysis of the import trends for citrus fruits (kiwi, mandarins, oranges), cashews, and dates in Uzbekistan from 2018 to 2022.
In 2022, the import of citrus fruits, cashews, and dates in Uzbekistan experienced a substantial surge compared to 2018. Several factors contributed to this growth, including:
Sustained Economic Growth: The country's robust economic growth, averaging 5.3% in GDP and 1.9% in population from 2018 to 2022, played a pivotal role.
Favourable Macroeconomic Conditions: The GDP per capita increased from $1604 in 2018 to $2255 in 2022, fostering a 32.1% growth in real per capita income from 2018 to 2022.
Elimination of Import Tariffs: The introduction of a zero-tariff regime on citrus imports in October 2021, subsequently extended, has been instrumental. The current zero tariff is effective until January 1, 2024.
Expansion of Food Retail: Marketing studies reveal that the modern retail market in Uzbekistan grew at an average annual rate of 17% from 2015 to 2021, with over 58% of sales attributed to food retail. By 2026, the share of modern retail in the Uzbekistan market may nearly double.
Comparing 2022 to 2018 in terms of physical volume, the import growth for the following citrus fruits and nuts is notable:
- Cashews: 8.2 times
- Dates: 7.6 times
- Mandarins: 6.6 times
- Kiwi: 4.7 times
- Oranges: 3.9 times
source: uzdaily.uz