India becomes Uzbekistan’s top beef supplier as H1 imports rise 9.1%
Uzbekistan imported 72,000 tonnes of beef worth $359.5 million in the first half of 2026, Pravda.ru reported. India supplied almost half of the volume, while the government plans to invest $463 million in domestic livestock farming.
Imports reach 72,000 tonnes
Uzbekistan imported 72,000 tonnes of beef during the first six months of 2026, according to Pravda.ru, citing the country’s National Statistics Committee. The volume increased by 6,000 tonnes, or 9.1%, from the same period of 2025. The figures show that imported meat continued to play a significant role in supplying the domestic market during the first half of the year.
The country spent $359.5 million on beef imports over the six-month period. Based on the reported value and volume, the average calculated import cost was about $5 per kilogram. Retail prices are higher because they also include logistics, storage and commercial markups, meaning changes in transport and distribution costs can widen the difference between the border value and the price paid by consumers.
India takes the leading position
India accounted for almost half of Uzbekistan’s imported beef and became the country’s largest supplier, Pravda.ru reported. The remaining shipments came from Belarus and Kazakhstan, although the publication did not provide individual volumes for either country. India’s share indicates that Uzbek importers have concentrated a substantial part of procurement in one origin market.
The supplier mix matters for processors, wholesalers and retailers that depend on stable deliveries and predictable costs. A large share held by one country can support procurement efficiency, but it also increases exposure to changes in that supplier’s availability, prices, logistics or trade conditions. Belarus and neighboring Kazakhstan remain alternative sources, but the available data do not show whether their shipments rose or declined during the period.
Government targets domestic livestock capacity
Uzbekistan’s government plans to allocate $463 million to livestock development in an effort to reduce dependence on imported meat. The funding is intended to restart idle enterprises, purchase breeding livestock and digitalize the sector. These measures address several parts of the domestic production chain, from herd quality and operational capacity to the management of farms and livestock data.
The import bill of $359.5 million for only six months provides the commercial context for the planned investment. Expanding local output could create opportunities for livestock producers, feed suppliers, slaughterhouses and meat processors, while stronger domestic supply could give buyers more sourcing options. The outcome will depend on how quickly idle facilities return to operation and whether investment in breeding animals and digital systems produces sustained gains. Until additional domestic capacity reaches the market, importers will remain important to supply, with India holding the leading position established in the first half of 2026.
