Milk market in Uzbekistan

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, milk production in Uzbekistan entered a steady growth trajectory, driven by a 5.4% increase in the cattle herd and substantial state support for the livestock sector. The government allocated over $227.8 million for development and exempted dairy processing plants from value-added tax on wholesale and retail sales, stimulating investment. In 2019, the entry of the international conglomerate Lactalis introduced new products like ultra-pasteurized milk and children's milkshakes, expanding the packaged milk segment and boosting consumption.

Growth continued through 2020 and 2021 despite logistical challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic, supported by ongoing investment in processing facilities and the emergence of food-tech innovations such as plant-based milk. By 2021, the holding company EFKO entered the top-100 milk producers and explored acquisitions to strengthen its position. In 2022, the government doubled subsidies for meat and milk production to stabilize prices, while monitoring mechanisms helped control food inflation. These measures sustained production volumes, with the milk market reaching 11,959 thousand tonnes in 2023.

Production milk in Uzbekistan

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Uzbekistan was among the world's leading milk producers, ranking 16th globally by production volume.

Top producers of milk, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk, 2017-2020

Milk production in Uzbekistan increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 10 930 thousand tons of milk, marking a slight rise of 2.5% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 9.2%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 3.0%.

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

Exports milk from Uzbekistan

Exports in kind, t

Uzbekistan exported 481 tons of milk in 2020, reflecting a decline of 7.7% year-over-year. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 386 tons, while the highest was in 2019 at 522 tons. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 21.2%, and the largest increase was in 2019 with a rise of 35.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Tajikistan and Afghanistan accounted for the majority of Uzbekistan's milk exports in kind, with other markets playing a less significant role.

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

Milk exports from Uzbekistan increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 475 thousand US dollars, showing an improvement of 20.1% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 30.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 9.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 281 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 22.9%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 with a rise of 40.7%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, the three largest markets for Uzbekistan's milk exports in value terms were Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Kyrgyzstan, which together accounted for 89.5% of total export flows.

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 to Uzbekistan

Imports in kind, t

Uzbekistan's milk import volume increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 6 485 tons, representing a sharp rise of 59.1% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 512.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 82.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the primary suppliers of milk to Uzbekistan in kind were Belarus (53.0% of imports), Ukraine (17.3% of imports), and Russia (11.1% of imports), jointly accounting for 81.4% of total imports in kind.

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

Foreign milk supplies to Uzbekistan increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Uzbekistan imported 10 233 thousand US dollars worth of milk, up by 56.6% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 504.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 82.2%.

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

In 2017–2020, the main group of suppliers for Uzbekistan's milk imports in value terms consisted of Belarus (56.5% of imports), Ukraine (16.9% of imports), and Russia (10.4% of imports), with a combined share of 83.9% of total import flows.

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

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