Uzbekistan’s foreign trade turnover (FTT) totalled $48.2bn from January to September, reflecting a y/y increase of $3.5bn or 7.7%, according to the state's statistics agency. 

During this period, exports reached $19.77bn, up by 11.5% y/y, while imports hit $28.43bn, up by 5.2% y/y. Despite the positive export growth, Uzbekistan still recorded a trade deficit of $8.66bn.

China remained Uzbekistan's largest trading partner, contributing $9.03bn or 18.7% of total trade turnover, followed by Russia with $8.66bn (18.0%) and Kazakhstan with $3.01bn (6.2%).

Additionally, Uzbekistan’s trade turnover with Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries reached $16.84bn, marking an increase of 1.5% y/y. 

Russia dominated this segment, contributing 51.4%, with Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan adding 17.9% and 5.2%, respectively.

However, trade with non-CIS countries saw a 1.5% decline, constituting 65.1% of total foreign trade turnover.

Trade volume with Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) countries, who enjoy a common economic space for goods and services, also grew, reaching $12.79bn.

Uzbekistan’s agricultural exports experienced growth, particularly in the fruit and vegetable sector, which saw an 11.8% increase in export volume, totalling 1.5mn tonnes. 

The export value of these products surged by 25.8%, reaching $1.05bn, with Russia (44.7%), Kazakhstan (14.1%), Pakistan (14.1%), and Afghanistan (7.3%) being the primary markets.

Light industry, particularly textile exports, recorded a decline of 6.1%, amounting to $2.21bn, with the sector shifting toward producing more value-added goods rather than raw materials. 

Service exports amounted to $5.01bn, representing a 29.6% y/y increase. The travel sector was the leading service export, comprising 48.3% of the total.

Components of Uzbekistan’s total imports of $28.43bn included machinery and transport equipment representing 35.5%, followed by industrial goods (15.1%) and chemicals (12.2%). 

Service imports also saw a rise, increasing by 42.2% y/y to $2.57bn.