Rice market in Uzbekistan

Earlier Report Observations

The Uzbek rice market saw rapid growth from 2018 to 2019, with volume climbing from 243 600 tons to 373 400 tons. This expansion was fueled by consecutive rises in the gross rice harvest, which lifted domestic production to 314 700 tons, while imports also surged to 58 800 tons amid shifting regional trade patterns due to sanctions against Russia. However, in 2020, market volume dropped to 306 400 tons as production declined to 293 500 tons, despite continued large-scale cultivation and rising world rice prices.

Market volume recovered to 341 100 tons in 2021, supported by another increase in the harvest. Growth continued in 2022, reaching 367 000 tons, as domestic demand rose and new phytosanitary permits for imports from India and other countries facilitated market access. Water shortages began to reduce planted area in some regions. A sharp jump to 463 900 tons occurred in 2023, primarily due to a leap in imports to 108 800 tons to cover a domestic production shortfall, while output slightly decreased to 355 700 tons. During this period, plans were announced for a new rice milling plant in cooperation with Turkey to process paddy rice.

In 2024, imports totaled 37 500 tons and exports 1 700 tons, with the government maintaining export controls through quotas and duties. Uzbekistan remained a key regional producer, with both state-owned and private companies active in the market, and domestic prices stayed elevated.

Production rice in Uzbekistan

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of rice, 2017-2020

In 2020, Uzbekistan produced 293.5 thousand tons of rice, representing a 6.7% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 25.8%, which translates to an average annual decline of 9.5%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 221.1 thousand tons. That year also saw the largest drop, with a 44.1% decrease. In contrast, 2019 experienced the most significant increase, with production rising by 42.3%.

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

Exports rice from Uzbekistan

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Uzbekistan exported 648 tons of rice, showing minimal change from 2019. Over the period from 2018 to 2020, exports surged by 919.5%, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate of 116.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States and Afghanistan were the primary markets for Uzbekistan's rice exports in volume terms. The United States accounted for 69.3% of total exports, while Afghanistan made up 30.7%, together comprising 100.0% of the export flows.

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

In 2020, the value of Uzbekistan's rice exports reached 761 thousand US dollars, remaining nearly unchanged from 2019. Between 2018 and 2020, export value increased by 785.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 106.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Uzbekistan's rice exports in value terms were highly concentrated, with the United States and Afghanistan together representing 100.0% of total export value.

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

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

Imports rice to Uzbekistan

Imports in kind, t

Rice imports into Uzbekistan showed notable fluctuations during this period. The lowest import volume occurred in 2017, while the peak was reached in 2019, with a 7 282-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports totaled 13 605 tons, marking a sharp decline of 76.8% compared to 2019. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 58 769 tons. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with imports soaring by 279 306.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kazakhstan and Pakistan were the main sources for Uzbekistan's rice imports in volume terms, together accounting for 89.2% of total imports. Other trading partners individually played a much smaller role.

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

The value of rice imports into Uzbekistan displayed an unstable trend over this timeframe. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 991-fold gap between these years. In 2020, import value stood at 3 395 thousand US dollars, indicating a dramatic 75.3% decrease year-over-year. The maximum import value was recorded in 2019 at 13 769 thousand US dollars. The largest increase took place in 2018, with import value jumping by 45 139.4%.

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

During 2017–2020, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, and Russia were the leading suppliers of rice to Uzbekistan in value terms. Kazakhstan accounted for 55.2% of imports, Pakistan for 21.3%, and Russia for 10.3%. Together, these three countries represented 86.8% of total import value.

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

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