Horticulture in Uzbekistan

In March 2020, a sharp drop in wholesale and retail prices for onions was recorded in Uzbekistan by an estimated 35-40%. The reason for this was the suspension of exports due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s spread to Uzbekistan and complications with border crossings.
Also in March, a historic event took place for the fruit and vegetable industry in Uzbekistan in which decrees were signed on the liberalization of cotton and grain growing. It is this decision that can lead to a sharp increase in the volume of investments in farming, viticulture, and growing nuts, berries, and vegetables.
We will be able to see the first results of liberalization soon when summing up the official results of the development of agriculture in Uzbekistan in 2020.
April 2020 did not start off well in Uzbekistan. During the nights of April 8-9, 2020, a sharp drop in air temperature was observed in Uzbekistan causing frosts down to minus 2-4 degrees and heavy snowfalls with a sufficiently strong wind. Crop losses from frost were estimated at 15-20%.
In mid-April, the situation became even more complicated because farmers had a problem with the pollination of fruit trees. This problem was caused by strict quarantine, which did not allow beekeepers, especially near large cities, to care for bees.
However, already at the end of the month, news began to arrive that the first early fruits appeared on the market which was cherries, early apples, and apricots.
In early May 2020, the first consignments of Uzbek cherries were already sold in-full on foreign markets. Just some 10 years ago, this would have been considered unthinkable since no one would have expected these fruits to appear on the market before late May or early June.
The coronavirus pandemic forced the government to look for ways to ensure the country’s food security. The initiative to fine owners of household plots in Uzbekistan for not using them for growing potatoes and vegetables was widely discussed.
In May 2020, Uzbekistan expanded subsidies for the exports of fruits and vegetables by road and air transport. Prior to this, only export shipments by rail were subsidized. According to EastFruit analysts, this was a very timely decision as exporters faced increased transportation costs and other difficulties caused by the coronavirus pandemic.