According to EastFruit, despite a reduction in melon acreage in Uzbekistan in 2025, the country’s melon exports continue to expand.
FERGANA EXIM AGRO, a company known for its successful shipments of dried fruits and fresh produce to premium global markets, has announced two successful deliveries of fresh melons to Sweden. After the first batch of the iconic “Torpedo” and “Obi-Navvot” varieties survived a two-week journey to Stockholm without any loss of quality, the buyer immediately placed a follow-up order for another 20 tonnes.
Yorkin Inamov, head of the company, expressed hope that the Swedish market will become one of the most promising for Uzbek melons in Europe and help popularize these amazing products across the European continent.
So how profitable are melon exports from Uzbekistan to Sweden? In Sweden, the retail price of these melons is about 30 SEK per kg – roughly €2.70 or US$3.10 – while in Uzbekistan, farmers currently sell them at just US$0.20 per kg directly from the field.
At first glance, this suggests enormous export margins. However, the reality is more nuanced. The supplier often receives no more than 40–50% of the retail price – and that only after 30 to 90 days post-delivery. Additionally, the importer adds a margin of 20–40%, or even up to 70% in the case of new, higher-risk suppliers like those from Uzbekistan.
Moreover, Swedish supermarket chains rarely deal directly with small-scale foreign exporters. They generally prefer large suppliers capable of year-round deliveries. This means Uzbek exporters are likely to receive only 20–30% of the retail price.
Read also: Uzbekistan Launches Mass Exports of New-Season Melons
And then there are the high costs involved. Sweden has strict quality, safety, and packaging requirements. Only select melons meet these standards. Export-oriented production must comply with EU-approved plant protection products and safety protocols, often raising production costs.
After harvest, melons must be graded by size, with only a portion qualifying for export. Companies must also conduct comprehensive safety testing, often in EU labs, and prepare extensive export documentation.
Packaging is another major investment. Non-returnable packaging, required for this type of export, is significantly more expensive in Uzbekistan than in Europe. In fact, exporters often incur costs equivalent to a mid-sized grower’s entire annual turnover just to prepare a single shipment – before any revenue is realized. These upfront expenses are especially burdensome when financed through local banks.
Exporters also bear the risks of product spoilage during long transport routes – not uncommon – and potential delays in payments.
As a result, not every Uzbek company is willing to take on the challenge of exporting to the EU, despite higher market prices.
“Exporting to demanding markets isn’t a free gift. It requires major investments in know-how, buyer outreach through trade shows and missions, product adaptation, and working capital. Export also carries risks that simply don’t exist in domestic or traditional regional markets,” explains Andriy Yarmak, economist at FAO’s Investment Centre.
Uzbek melons are already available at several locations in Stockholm, including:
- Sollentuna Centre
- Marvärlden
- Hötorget
This marks the second export cycle to Sweden for Fergana Exim Agro. In the first phase, the company exported freeze-dried and dried fruits worth over US$30,000.
Previously, the company also successfully exported the legendary Meyer lemon to Japan, unlocking new opportunities in one of Asia’s most premium markets.
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