What measures will Uzbekistan implement to ensure food security?

It is noted that ensuring food security is becoming an increasingly pressing issue in the context of a growing population. Global climate changes, along with a shortage of land and water resources, present additional challenges for agriculture.

In Uzbekistan, 9 million tons of grain, over 3 million tons of cotton, more than 16 million tons of vegetables and melons, 5 million tons of fruits and grapes, 4 million tons of potatoes, and over 15 million tons of meat and milk were harvested in 2024. The food industry has implemented 343 projects.

Significant opportunities for localizing production have been highlighted. Specifically, there is a need to increase the production of bread, meat and dairy products, vegetable oil, confectionery, and soft drinks. Specific measures in these areas were discussed at the meeting.

In recent years, the export of confectionery has quadrupled, reaching 13 million dollars. Thanks to the possibility of direct importation of raw materials, packaging products, and labels, production costs have decreased by 20 percent, significantly enhancing competitiveness.

The validity of these benefits expires on January 1, 2025. To support producers, a proposal to extend the benefits for another 2 years is being considered.

In the oil and fat industry, 408 enterprises have been opened; however, the lack of raw materials in the country prevents them from operating at full capacity. If the export of oil and fat products is permitted, production could increase by 120 thousand tons, and an additional 240 thousand tons of feed meal could be produced.

The Deputy Prime Minister has been tasked with presenting proposals on this issue, taking market requirements into account.

The number of national brands with "halal" certification is increasing, and they actively export meat products to regional countries and Arab states. However, the standard shelf life for sausage products is set at 3 months, of which 2 months are spent on transportation to foreign consumers. If the shelf life is aligned with European standards and extended to 4-12 months, production and exports could double. Consequently, it has been instructed to adapt the relevant standards to international norms.

To expand dairy production, there is a need to establish testing laboratories in the Namangan, Samarkand, and Tashkent regions. Practices for labeling such products indicating the use of natural or powdered milk in production will be implemented.

The production of soft and non-alcoholic drinks, as well as natural juices from fruits and vegetables, is actively developing. Over the past five years, their exports have increased ninefold, reaching 35 million dollars. However, due to existing tariffs on the import of tropical fruits and orange juice concentrate, the products are less competitive compared to goods from other countries. In this regard, it has been proposed to exempt the import of tropical fruit concentrate from customs duties.

At the meeting, responsible officials reported on mutually beneficial partnerships with industry enterprises under the "From Poverty to Prosperity" program. The President has given instructions for further improving quality and scaling up the ongoing work in the coming year.