Watermelon season has begun in Uzbekistan’s Kashkadarya region, with farmers already exporting approximately 3,000 tons of the premium fruit to international buyers while maintaining steady supplies to domestic markets.
According to EastFruit, the early harvest from Kashkadarya region has found eager buyers across four key export destinations: Kazakhstan, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, and the United Arab Emirates. According to the Ministry of Agriculture of Uzbekistan, the region’s watermelons command premium prices due to their exceptional sweetness, natural growing methods, and notably early ripening season.
“The early ripening of these watermelons significantly enhances their competitiveness in international markets,” the Ministry reported, highlighting how Uzbek producers gain a crucial timing advantage over competitors from other regions.
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The export success stems from intensive cultivation efforts by local farmers and dehkans (traditional small-scale farmers), particularly in the Kukdala district, where growers have focused on meeting both quality standards and delivery schedules for international buyers.
Kashkadarya’s watermelons have built a reputation for their superior taste profile and natural cultivation methods, making them increasingly sought after in regional markets where consumers are willing to pay premium prices for early-season, high-quality produce.
The strong start to this year’s export season signals positive momentum for Uzbekistan’s broader agricultural export strategy, as the country continues to leverage its favorable growing conditions and strategic location to serve markets across Central Asia and the Middle East.
