This season, Uzbekistan began shipping the first large batches of new-season fresh melons to international markets in mid-May, about a week earlier than last year. According to EastFruit analysts, the country’s melon export season is now entering its active phase.
As explained by Farhod Korabekov, head of Fresh Melon LLC, a company specializing in the production and export of fresh melons, shipments are currently originating from the southernmost regions of Uzbekistan:
“Starting around May 10–15, farmers in the Surkhandarya and Kashkadarya regions began harvesting early melons — specifically the ultra-early hybrid Dakaro F1. In these regions, the melons are grown in unheated plastic hoop tunnels. This variety is well-suited for export due to its good transportability and ideal size range of 1.5 to 2.5 kg,” he noted.
According to Mr. Korabekov, at the start of the harvest season, farmers were selling melons from the field at an average price of 13,000 UZS/kg ($1.01/kg), excluding transportation loading costs. However, by the end of May, wholesale prices dropped nearly by half to 7,200 UZS/kg ($0.56/kg) due to the increased supply of early-season melons on the domestic market.
In recent years, fresh melon has become one of Uzbekistan’s major export items within the fruit and vegetable sector. Between 2017 and 2019, annual exports ranged from 14.8 thousand to 27.4 thousand tonnes, according to international trade statistics. However, starting in 2020, melon export volumes saw significant growth.
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From 2020 to 2023, Uzbekistan exported between 39.2 thousand and 56.6 thousand tonnes of fresh melons annually. During this period, the export geography expanded significantly, and the structure of exports became more diversified.
In 2024, a new record high was reached: 58 thousand tonnes of fresh melon were exported from Uzbekistan. Shipments exceeding 20 tonnes were delivered to 16 different countries.
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