Melons and papayas market in Uzbekistan

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh melons and papayas in Uzbekistan experienced significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. Starting at a high of 1 820 thousand tons in 2018, the market volume dropped sharply to 1 201 thousand tons in 2019. It then stabilized around 1 150-1 180 thousand tons in 2020-2021 before recovering to 1 303 thousand tons in 2022 and reaching 1 420 thousand tons in 2023.

A key driver of market dynamics was the changing export landscape. In 2020, a reduction of the VAT rate in Russia to 10% for certain food products, combined with Uzbekistan's observer status in the Eurasian Economic Union, created favorable conditions for increased exports of Uzbek melons to EAEU countries. This led to a jump in exports from 31 thousand tons in 2019 to 106 thousand tons in 2020, which contributed to the reduced domestic market volume despite a slight rise in production.

Exports continued to grow in subsequent years, reaching 152 thousand tons in 2023, supported by stable demand in Russia and CIS markets. By 2024, Uzbekistan secured access to the US market for melons for the first time, further expanding export opportunities. Concurrently, the domestic retail sector grew by 9.9% in 2024, indicating rising purchasing power, while innovative agrotechnologies such as intercropping melons between fruit trees improved land use efficiency.

Production melons and papayas in Uzbekistan

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Uzbekistan ranked 13th globally in melons and papayas production volume.

Top producers of melons and papayas, 2017-2020

World map of production of melons and papayas, 2017-2020

After two years of decline, Uzbekistan's melons and papayas production increased in 2020. The country produced 1 254 K t that year, up 1.8% year-over-year. However, between 2017 and 2020, overall production fell by 38.2%, averaging an annual decline of 14.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1 232 K t, which also saw the largest single-year drop of 32.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Uzbekistan in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports melons and papayas from Uzbekistan

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed significant volatility during this period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2018 at 16.5 K t, then surged to a peak of 105.6 K t in 2020—a 6.4-fold increase between these years. The 2020 export volume represented a dramatic 236.2% jump from 2019. The steepest decline occurred in 2018, falling 41.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Uzbekistan in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, three key markets—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia—collectively accounted for 81.5% of Uzbekistan's melons and papayas exports by volume.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Uzbekistan in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Uzbekistan's melons and papayas export revenue grew for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 35 646 K US dollars—a 169.5% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value soared by 970.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 120.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Uzbekistan in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Kyrgyzstan (37.7% of export value), Kazakhstan (22.6%), and Russia (19.9%) were the primary markets for Uzbekistan's melons and papayas exports by value, together representing 80.1% of total export revenue.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Uzbekistan in value, 2017-2020

Imports melons and papayas to Uzbekistan

Imports in kind, K t

Import volumes showed notable fluctuations. The lowest point came in 2018 at 0.0 K t, while imports peaked in 2019 at 0.1 K t—an 18-fold difference. In 2020, imports stood at 0.1 K t, down 23.0% from the previous year. The sharpest decline occurred in 2018, falling 52.3%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019, surging 1 737.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Uzbekistan in kind, 2017-2020, K t

During 2017-2020, Russia (40.2% of import volume), Kazakhstan (25.6%), and Tajikistan (12.7%) were Uzbekistan's main sources for melons and papayas imports by volume, together comprising 78.4% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Uzbekistan in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Import values displayed irregular patterns, reflecting a volatile market. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 K US dollars, while 2019 saw the peak at 33 K US dollars—a 22-fold gap. In 2020, imports totaled 13 K US dollars, down 61.4% from the previous year. The steepest drop occurred in 2018, falling 66.7%, while the largest increase was in 2019, jumping 2 136.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Uzbekistan in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Russia (54.2% of import value), Kazakhstan (18.1%), and China (12.1%) were the leading sources for Uzbekistan's melons and papayas imports by value, collectively accounting for 84.4% of total import spending.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Uzbekistan in value, 2017-2020