Priority Areas for Ensuring Food Security in Uzbekistan

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The globalization of the world economy, and a series of crises—including pandemics, natural disasters, and geopolitical challenges—have significantly heightened the need for countries to ensure food security. Under such conditions, this issue acquires strategic importance for every state.

For Uzbekistan, food security is of paramount importance, as it directly impacts the country’s socio-economic stability, the standard of living, and the well-being of its population.
In 2023, 24 per cent of the 14 million employed citizens (i.e., 3.4 million people) worked in the agriculture, forestry, and fisheries sectors. Agriculture accounted for 19.2 percent of the country’s gross domestic product. This demonstrates that the sector plays a crucial role not only in ensuring food security but also in generating employment and foreign currency earnings through exports.

Thanks to the diversification of agricultural production, the introduction of cluster and cooperative systems, widespread use of modern agrotechnologies, and support for household farms, the volume and quality of production have improved. These measures aim to provide the population with high-quality food, reduce imports, and strengthen the national food system.

By the end of 2024, the total volume of products and services in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries in Uzbekistan reached $36.9 billion, which is 3.1 per cent more than in 2023. This growth is mainly attributed to the digitalization of the sector, the extensive implementation of the cluster system, and reforms focused on the cultivation of export-oriented products.

Currently, Uzbekistan exports more than 180 types of agricultural and food products to over 80 countries. This indicates growing international demand for domestic agri-industrial products and the strengthening of Uzbekistan’s position in the global food market.

In 2024, the export of food products and live animals amounted to $2.2 billion, equivalent to 8.1 percent of the country’s total exports. Meanwhile, imports in this category reached $3.7 billion, accounting for 9.5 percent of the total import structure. This shows that a significant part of the country’s food needs is still met through foreign markets. Therefore, it is necessary to expand domestic production and use available resources efficiently.

As a result of systematic policies aimed at reforming agriculture and developing horticulture, both food security in the domestic market and export potential are steadily growing. Competitive and high-quality products are being produced in fruit and vegetable farming, melon growing, and viticulture. Especially noteworthy is the rapid increase in the export volume of organic and processed products, which remain in high demand in foreign markets.

Last year, Uzbekistan exported 2,036.2 thousand tons of fruits and vegetables, 15.8 percent more than in 2023. The total value of fruit and vegetable exports amounted to $1.549 billion, 31.2 percent higher than the previous year. This growth reflects the expansion of production in the country’s agrarian sector and an increase in export potential. The share of these products in Uzbekistan’s total exports was 5.8 percent.

The significant growth in fruit and vegetable exports highlights Uzbekistan’s strengthening position in international markets and the growing export orientation of the national economy.

The Law "On Food Security," adopted in 2025, became an important step toward strengthening food security and the legal framework regulating relations in this sphere. The document is aimed at enhancing control over the quality and safety of food products, ensuring sustainable development, and strengthening the role of the agri-food sector in the national economy.

At the same time, the law serves as an instrument for implementing measures to ensure food security, integrating the country’s food sector into global markets, and aligning production and control systems with international standards.

Uzbekistan’s cooperation with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a key component of the country’s strategic efforts to ensure food security and sustainable development. This cooperation involves studying the best practices of developed countries and adapting them to Uzbekistan’s national policies and practices.

In particular, during international conferences held in Samarkand, the effective practices of developed countries in food security were analyzed and discussions were held on how to adapt them to Uzbekistan’s realities. This, in turn, reflects the effectiveness of ongoing efforts and the country’s strengthened position in this direction.

The reforms being implemented in Uzbekistan align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including ensuring food security, improving nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture. The measures taken under these goals contribute to the country’s socio-economic stability and long-term economic growth.

To ensure food security, Uzbekistan is carrying out large-scale reforms in the agricultural sector.

First, part of the land traditionally used for growing cotton and grain has been redirected toward the production of vegetables, legumes, and melons. This helps increase the volume of food production, eliminate shortages in the domestic market, and improve food security for the population.

Second, the introduction of cluster and cooperative systems in agriculture has significantly increased the capacity for processing, storing, and exporting products. In 2025, the focus will be on expanding the production of high value-added products—one of the priority areas of food industry development.

Third, the state provides preferential loans and subsidies to household farms, allowing people to grow food on their own plots and enrich local markets.

In addition, innovative solutions and modern technologies play an important role in strengthening food security. For example, the introduction of blockchain technology allows for effective control of product quality and increases the transparency of supply chains.

Improvement of the agrologistics system and modernization of storage facilities have significantly reduced product losses. As a result of ongoing reforms, Uzbekistan has substantially increased its level of self-sufficiency in food and reduced dependence on imports.

Food security depends not only on the quantity of food, but also on its quality and safety. In Uzbekistan, the legal and regulatory framework in this area has been strengthened, and the standards for the quality and safety of food products are mandatory for both legal and natural persons. Strict control is exercised over compliance with sanitary, veterinary, and phytosanitary regulations. The food industry has adopted HACCP and GHP systems—fundamental tools for ensuring food safety and reducing risks in food production. Moreover, citizens, civil society institutions, non-governmental organizations, and the media actively participate in public oversight of food quality.

Greater attention is being paid to proper nutrition. Nationwide awareness campaigns are being implemented. Notably, this year’s State Program sets a specific task to strengthen public outreach on healthy lifestyles and proper nutrition. This, in turn, increases citizens’ awareness, improves public health, and prevents disease.

However, several important challenges remain on the path to ensuring food security.

First, climate change, drought, and water scarcity negatively impact agricultural productivity.

Second, global crises such as pandemics, economic instability, and fluctuations in the world economy pose risks to food supply. To mitigate these risks, Uzbekistan is implementing measures to build reserves and reduce import dependency.

Sharp increases in food prices can negatively affect household incomes and undermine economic stability. The state aims to ensure price stability through preferential lending and price monitoring systems.

Poverty remains a serious issue. For 2025, key objectives include identifying the scale of poverty and improving economic access to food.

Additionally, the lack of scientific research and qualified personnel in the field of food security hinders the development of this area. It is necessary to implement effective educational programs and training courses.

Uzbekistan is implementing the "Strategy for Ensuring Food Security and Healthy Nutrition in the Republic of Uzbekistan Until 2030," which envisions the efficient use of resources to improve the population’s living conditions. In particular, the country is improving water use systems, increasing land fertility, and expanding food production volumes.

Plans also include the modernization of agriculture and doubling of exports through the attraction of foreign and domestic investments. Strengthening cooperation with international organizations, especially FAO, is essential for ensuring food security.

Raising public awareness about healthy nutrition and food security, and improving the training system for qualified personnel remain among the key tasks. Furthermore, the widespread use of digital technologies and innovations is contributing to improving the efficiency of the entire food supply chain.

Uzbekistan has already achieved significant success in the field of food security. At the same time, to overcome existing challenges and prepare for global economic changes, it is necessary to continue and intensify efforts in this direction. It is important not only to modernize agriculture, diversify production, and develop the agrarian sector, but also to strengthen international cooperation.

Iskandar Urakboev,
Expert at the Center for Sustainable Development