Uzbekistan's greenhouse tomato exports have declined for the fourth consecutive year. In the first four months of 2025, exports totaled around 9,000 tons, down 23% year-on-year and nearly 3.5 times lower than in the same period of 2021. By comparison, in 2019, Uzbekistan exported approximately 70,000 tons; however, volumes have since decreased to 53,000–55,000 tons in 2023, the lowest level in five years.
The country is losing market share in Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan, where Turkmenistan has rapidly expanded its presence. In 2024, Turkmenistan exported nearly 150,000 tons of tomatoes, up 40% in two years, benefiting from low energy costs, stable water supply, and modern greenhouse technologies. Access to cheap gas and large-scale investments in European-style facilities, equipped with heat pumps and solar systems, have allowed Turkmen growers to achieve competitive prices and consistent quality.
In contrast, Uzbekistan's producers face rising production costs, extreme weather, and outdated infrastructure. Fuel shortages forced a switch from gas to coal heating, significantly increasing expenses. Many greenhouses operate inefficiently due to the lack of standardized designs adapted to local climates, while financial pressure from foreign currency loans has pushed roughly a third of farms close to bankruptcy.
Despite challenges, Uzbekistan continues to work on modernization. Local scientists have developed several new tomato varieties, including "Mustaqillik-28", which is resistant to pests and offers yields up to five times higher than traditional types. The government recently introduced tax relief measures and aims to boost greenhouse output to 670,000 tons by 2027, targeting 70% for export.
However, experts note that restoring competitiveness will require large-scale adoption of energy-efficient technologies and renewed focus on export-oriented crops.
Source: uz.kursiv.media
