In 2024, Uzbekistan has solidified its position as the third-largest exporter of fresh apricots globally, according to EastFruit analysts. This achievement marks the second consecutive year that Uzbekistan has maintained a top-three ranking, although it has yet to climb to the second position as anticipated in 2023.
Key Highlights:
- Export Decline: Apricot exports from Uzbekistan decreased by 23% (13,000 tons) compared to 2023.
- Competitor Performance: Turkey, the second-largest exporter, saw a slight reduction in shipments, while Spain, the global leader, significantly increased its exports.
Challenges and Opportunities: “The further development of fresh apricot exports from Uzbekistan primarily depends on the ability to extend the marketing season,” says Andriy Yarmak, an economist at the FAO Investment Centre. Currently, Uzbekistan exports apricots in significant volumes only for two months, whereas Spain and Turkey export for 5-6 months annually.
Geographical Constraints: Uzbekistan’s complex geographical position, compared to Turkey and Egypt, limits its ability to diversify exports, making it reliant on 1-2 key markets and increasing business risks.
Read also: Uzbekistan is losing produce export markets to competitors due to government’s decision
Emerging Competitors: In 2023, Tajikistan entered the top 10 global fresh apricot exporters for the first time, shipping about 9,000 tons. Traditionally, Tajikistan exports apricots in dried form. You can watch how apricots are grown, dried and sold in Tajikistan in this video. We also showed and explained how dried apricots are processed and packaged in this video (both videos are in Russian language).
Conclusion: Uzbekistan’s future in the global apricot market hinges on extending its export season and overcoming geographical challenges to reduce market dependency and risks.
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