Milk and cream market in Uzbekistan

Earlier Report Observations

Milk and cream production in Uzbekistan grew steadily from 12.4 million tons in 2018 to 14.2 million tons in 2023, driven by state support policies. From 2018, dairy processing plants were exempted from value-added tax on wholesale and retail sales, improving economic conditions for producers. This was complemented by government programs to develop large-scale dairy farms capable of supplying up to 10 tons of raw milk per day, which boosted the packaged milk segment.

In 2020, the government doubled subsidies for meat and milk production, further stimulating output. At the same time, price stabilization measures for milk and meat affected market prices, leading to a temporary decline in the market value in monetary terms despite continuous volume growth. The market continued to expand with the introduction of new product segments such as ultra-pasteurized milk and traditional fermented drinks like ayran and matsoni from 2022 onward, catering to evolving consumer preferences.

By 2023, the commitment to double production subsidies remained in place, and plans to launch 25 food products in cooperation with global brands signaled ongoing investment in the dairy sector. Consumer shifts toward lactose-free sterilized milk, which reached 24.1% of retail sales by 2024, and the growth of online sales to 4.8% of total sales further diversified the market and supported volume growth.

Production milk and cream in Uzbekistan

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Uzbekistan ranked as the world's 13th largest producer of milk and cream.

Top producers of milk and cream, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk and cream, 2017-2020

Uzbekistan's milk and cream production grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 12 959 thousand tonnes, marking a modest year-over-year increase of 2.7%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 9.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Uzbekistan's milk and cream production value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 8 556 million US dollars, down 2.0% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production value increased by 4.8%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 1.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 8 749 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 7.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Uzbekistan in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports milk and cream from Uzbekistan

Exports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, Uzbekistan's milk and cream exports fell. In 2020, exports totaled 355 tonnes, a 16.4% decrease from the previous year. The peak was in 2019 at 424 tonnes, which also experienced the largest increase of 18.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Afghanistan and Tajikistan were the primary markets for Uzbekistan's milk and cream exports in volume terms, together representing 87.3% of total flows, while other destinations held relatively smaller shares.

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

After two years of growth, Uzbekistan's milk and cream export value declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 234 thousand US dollars, down 20.3% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 2.6%, with an average annual decline of 0.9%. The highest value was in 2019 at 294 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 16.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Afghanistan and Tajikistan consistently accounted for 89.0% of Uzbekistan's milk and cream export value, showing a highly concentrated market with a long tail of smaller destinations.

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

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

Imports milk and cream to Uzbekistan

Imports in kind, t

Uzbekistan's milk and cream imports grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 2 188 tonnes, a sharp 70.5% increase year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports surged by 7 499%, with an average annual growth rate of 323.6%.

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

During 2017-2020, Belarus dominated Uzbekistan's milk and cream imports in volume terms, accounting for 73.3% of total flows, while the remainder was distributed among various smaller sources.

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

Uzbekistan's milk and cream import value increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 1 662 thousand US dollars, a sharp rise of 89.3% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value grew by 4 783.1%, with an average annual rate of 265.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belarus and Russia were the leading sources for Uzbekistan's milk and cream imports in value terms, together making up 82.7% of total flows, with the rest spread across other destinations.

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

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