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Uzbekistan is one of Central Asia’s fastest-growing consumer markets, powered by strong GDP growth (6.5 percent in 2024; 5.9 percent forecast in 2025) and a population rising by 1 million annually. Urbanization, a young middle class, and shifting consumer habits are driving rapid demand for modern retail, packaged foods, and convenience formats.

Central Asia is a diverse, important corner of the world and a growing market for U.S. goods. Agricultural imports from the world for Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, and Uzbekistan totaled $11.6 billion in 2023 and have nearly doubled over the last three years, with the United States as the 11th largest trade partner at $196 million.

On September 21, 2022, Kuwait’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry issued administrative decree number 1895 for the year 2022 adopting a regionalization model to the county level for U.S. outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian influenza (HPAI). The decree lifted a previous ban on all non-heat treated poultry meat (fresh, chilled, frozen, and processed), poultry products and table eggs from 24 U.S. states. The decree also includes changes for other trade partners. An unofficial translation for the decree is included in this report.

Overall U.S. agricultural and related product exports to the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait (GCC-4) are higher by 3 percent from January to March 2021 compared to the same time last year.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is a regional political and economic treaty organization comprised of the Arabian Gulf nations of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

Update on Kuwait bans on U.S. food products.

Update on Kuwait bans on U.S. food products.

Infrastructure developments and a growing number of modern retail outlets are improving the marketability of U.S.-style food, which is increasingly popular among Uzbekistan's younger generation.

Uzbekistan relies on imports of certain food products which are not locally produced in sufficient volumes, in order to meet the country’s growing demand.

Fruit and vegetable production and exports continue to grow in Uzbekistan. Russia’s import ban from Western countries may boost Uzbek exports to Russia.

Post forecasts MY14/15 lint production at 4.3 million bales. Generally favorable weather conditions are countered by irrigation water deficit in the South and some pest problems in several regions.

Due to drought and irrigation water deficit problems in the south, Post forecasts MY2014/15 wheat production at 7.15 MMT.