Uzbekistan is broadening its export base through market diversification, industrial growth, and trade reforms, targeting higher value-added products and new international markets.
Uzbekistan is undergoing a structural transformation in its export model, shifting decisively from raw materials to finished and value-added goods.
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The change reflects broader industrial diversification, deeper integration into global markets and rapid growth in services such as IT.
Total exports reached €28.37 bn last year, with shipments to Europe rising 23% to €1.93 bn, according to Central Bank of Uzbekistan data.
Government-backed initiatives, including trade fair funding, export subsidies and overseas promotion, are helping firms enter new markets, upgrade production and strengthen supply chains.
Growth in value-added goods
According to the Central Bank, the number of exported product categories nearly doubled from 2,245 in 2017 to 4,359 in 2024.
Finished and semi-finished goods now account for €11.28 bn, representing 52% of total exports, while raw materials total €1.62 bn, or 7%, according to Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade data.
Industrial capacity has broadened significantly. The country produces nearly 300 finished textile items and processes all domestically grown cotton.
It also manufactures over 780 types of machinery and equipment, including household appliances. The country produces more than 300 food products, around 400 chemical products, and over 180 metal products.
Industrial and consumer product growth
Industrial and consumer goods are central to this shift. Sam-Ferre, a major home appliance manufacturer, illustrates the trend.
“We export to seven neighboring countries, including Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Georgia, and Afghanistan,” explained production director Atajan Nazhmetdinov. In 2025, Sam-Ferre shipped 42,000 units abroad, valued at €6.98 mln. The company’s target for 2026 is 60,000 units, projected to generate €11.16 mln in revenue. “A localisation rate of 60–80% creates jobs, strengthens supply chains, and promotes sustainability through energy-efficient production,” he added.
Expanding global reach
Export geography has widened considerably. Currency liberalisation and support measures have increased the number of registered exporters to more than 9,000.
Uzbek companies now trade regularly with 165 countries, reaching a total of 190 markets.
Exports to Afghanistan rose from €920 mln in 2024 to €1.66 bn in 2025, supported by trade exhibitions and B2B initiatives.
“These measures have allowed companies to enter new markets such as Iraq, Syria, and other developing regions, diversifying revenue streams and increasing export resilience”, explained Yorkin Malikov, Chairman of the Uzbekistan Exporters Association.
At the beginning of the year, 200 entrepreneurs participated in a six-day exhibition in Iraq, occupying more than 1,000 square metres of exhibition space.
“A charter flight was organized for these entrepreneurs, and attendance was completely free of charge,” Malikov noted.
He also highlighted the Uzbekistan Trade House in New York, which markets Uzbek handicrafts — including trays, teapots, traditional floor mats and cradles — to international buyers.
From raw materials to services
The export structure increasingly reflects higher value-added production.
“Textiles now include ready-made garments instead of raw cotton, and electronics exports cover cables and transformers rather than just copper. Services such as tourism, IT, and transport accounted for over 41 percent of total exports in 2025”, said Yunusbek Yusupov, Head of Division at the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade.
The IT sector has emerged as a significant driver. By the third quarter of 2024, 936 IT companies were delivering services abroad, a 170% increase year-on-year.
“Companies are increasingly adopting AI, digital marketing, and innovation strategies to expand their presence in Europe, the Americas, and Asia,” Yusupov added.
The industrial shift is also evident in metals and textiles.
“In the past, Uzbekistan exported raw copper. Today, we export finished cables, wiring components, transformers, and other electrical products,” explained Yusupov.
The textile sector now processes 100% of domestic cotton, supplemented by imports from Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and the U.S. under the “Made with U.S. Cotton” programme.
“This allows Uzbek manufacturers to export finished garments to the U.S. market and work directly with international buyers,” he noted.
Economic impact and policy support
Export expansion is boosting GDP growth, creating jobs and driving industrial diversification.
“By opening new markets, attracting investment, and supporting SMEs, Uzbekistan strengthens its industrial base, reduces production costs, and enhances competitiveness globally,” said economist Bejan Jamolov.
“Uzbekistan is improving small and medium enterprises, circulating money within them because every SME needs access to finance,” he added.
Government policies continue to underpin this growth.
“We have lower taxation, and small businesses can attract investments with reduced tax burdens, so that after costs decrease, the products remain competitive,” Jamolov explained.
Structural reforms and international partnerships have enabled Uzbekistan to shift from raw material dependency to higher-value manufacturing and services, reinforcing its global trade competitiveness and positioning Uzbekistan as a rising industrial hub.
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