Development of Fruit and Vegetable trade in Uzbekistan leads to growing CO₂ emissions

External trade in fruit and vegetable products—both export and import—occupies a strategic place in Uzbekistan’s agricultural sector and food security. However, the expansion of international trade is accompanied by an increase in the carbon footprint, according to EastFruit project. The largest contribution to CO₂ emissions comes from long-distance transportation, the use of refrigeration capacity, and packaging. Considering global climate challenges—rising temperatures, water scarcity, extreme weather events, and international climate policies (carbon taxes, EU CBAM, green certificates)—assessing CO₂ emissions in foreign trade of fruit and vegetable products becomes critically important.

Source: project calculations based on UN Comtrade data

During 2017–2023, Uzbekistan’s fruit and vegetable trade turnover in physical volume increased 2.4 times, reaching 2.4 million tons in 2023. Exports of fruit and vegetable products during the period increased from 736.6 thousand tons to 1.5 million tons (2.0 times). Imports of fruit and vegetable products increased from 255.5 thousand tons to 913.3 thousand tons (3.6 times).

To assess greenhouse gas emissions (CO₂-equivalent) in international fruit and vegetable trade, experts used a methodology based on the international ISO 14083:2023 standard (adopted by the European Union in April 2024). Using this methodology and general data on external fruit and vegetable trade, calculations were made of CO₂ emission dynamics for Uzbekistan’s fruit and vegetable exports and imports in 2017–2023.

Source: project calculations based on UN Comtrade data

According to the results, annual CO₂ emissions from Uzbekistan’s foreign fruit and vegetable trade increased 3.1 times—from 89.0 thousand tons to 276.3 thousand tons. During this period, average annual emissions from fruit and vegetable exports increased 2.6 times (from 64.9 thousand tons to 169.2 thousand tons), and emissions from imports increased 4.5 times (from 24.1 thousand tons to 107.1 thousand tons).

The most carbon-intensive categories in Uzbekistan’s external fruit and vegetable trade include fresh fruits, berries, tomatoes, bananas, mandarins, and frozen products requiring refrigeration and, in some cases, air transport. At the same time, shipments of potatoes, onions, and dried products are characterized by relatively low emissions. Additionally, delays of refrigerated transport at borders and insufficient optimization of logistics routes contribute to the growth of the carbon footprint.