Uzbekistan aims to boost agricultural exports to $3.5 billion with new incentives

This year, Uzbekistan aims to boost exports of fruits, vegetables, and other food products to $3.5 billion. Of that amount, $442 million is expected to come from supplying fruit and vegetable products to new and promising markets. By 2026, this figure is projected to rise to $575 million.

The government has also set a goal of obtaining phytosanitary permits for exporting 30 new types of agricultural products to eight countries. In addition, $40.5 million will be invested in the production of packaging for 2.1 million tons of fruits and vegetables.

Entrepreneurs who sell fruit and vegetable products in modern packaging will be eligible to pay a reduced social tax rate of 1% for their employees. This benefit is valid until January 1, 2028, provided that they:

• Pay each employee a monthly salary of at least two minimum wages (2.3 million UZS);
• Earn at least 50% of their total income from products sold in modern packaging.

Agricultural cooperatives that organize the collection, sorting, packaging, and sale of fruit and vegetable products from household plots, as well as from dehkan and farming enterprises, will be eligible for compensation of up to 25% of related expenses. The maximum reimbursement is set at 3,000 UZS per unit of packaging.

Cooperative members involved in product collection and procurement will be required to complete training in quality procurement and export procedures via the Edukarantin.uz platform. A traffic light-style rating system will be launched on the Agrokomakchi platform for cooperatives and their certified members.

Furthermore, imports of equipment used for planting, harvesting, and sorting legumes will be subject to a reduced 1% customs duty until April 1, 2027.

Additionally, agricultural enterprises with at least 5 hectares of land will be allowed to allocate up to 0.2 hectares for auxiliary facilities under an in-farm land use planning project. These facilities may include cold storage units, sorting, drying, processing and packaging workshops, and water reservoirs.