The I International Fruit and Vegetable Fair kicked off at the UzExpoCentre in Tashkent.

The I International Fruit and Vegetable Fair kicked off at the UzExpoCentre in Tashkent.

The fair, held in accordance with the resolution of President Islam Karimov on measures to organize and hold the International fruit and vegetable fair on 1 June 2016, is organized by the ministries of foreign economic relations, investments and trade, agriculture and water management, “Uzbekoziqovqatholding” holding company, “Uzbekoziqovqatzahira” association, “Uzagroexport” specialized foreign trade company.

As was noted in the opening ceremony, thanks ti deep structural transformation in agrarian sector, carried out under the leadership of the head of state, such spheres as horticulture and viniculture have been intensively developing. The resolution of the President of our country “On measures to improve the system of procurement and use of fruit and vegetable products, potatoes and melons” on 12 April 2016 is an important guide to action in increasing the volumes of fruit, vegetable and melon crops, development of gardening.



From the first days of independence, concrete measures on developing agriculture, reforms of the sphere were determined in our country in order to ensure food security. Currently around 1 billion people are undernourished globally and the problems in this area are further exacerbating. In this regard,the life itself proves the correctness of the strategy, chosen by the head of state, to ensure food independence of Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan, not coincidentally, became one of the 14 countries that have received awards for achieving the Millennium Development Goals in the area of food security by the Food and Agriculture Organization.

Organic fruits and vegetables, grown in our country, are rich in healthy microelements, various biological substances, essential in the human diet. The unique soil and climatic conditions of Uzbekistan, 320 days of sunshine a year, a succession of the seasons create favorable conditions for the cultivation of the main types of fruit and vegetables. Therefore, fruits and vegetables, grown on the generous Uzbek land, are in high demand abroad and highly competitive.



– The demand for fruits, grown in Uzbekistan, is extremely high on the world market, - says vice-chairman of the International nut and dried fruit council Pino Calkagni. –Over the past ten years, the export of dried fruits and nuts from Uzbekistan increased by 5 times. This line of food industry in the country has a great potential. I like the fruits, grown in Uzbekistan, especially raisins. The current fair helps to familiarize with all stages of production of fruits and vegetables in the country, reserves and a potential, introduce modern technologies, establish cooperation and exchange experiences.

Uzbekistan is one of top ten exporters of apricots, plums, grapes, nuts, cabbage and other fruits and vegetables in the world. Today, more than 180 kinds of fruits and vegetables and products, based on them, are exported to more than eighty countries, such as the USA, Brazil, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cyprus, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Norway, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Thailand, China, Japan, and others. Thanks to progressive measures, implemented in the sector, the volumes are increasing and the geography of exports is expanding.

Annually, Uzbekistan produces over 17 million tons of fruit and vegetable products, including over 4 million tons for export. In particular, last year 12.592 million tons of vegetables and potatoes, 1.85 million tons of melon, 1 million 556 tons of grapes, 2.731 million tons of fruit were grown.

A special attention is paid to deep processing of agricultural products, development of storage infrastructure. In particular, last year 230 enterprises for processing agricultural products, 114 new cold stores with a capacity of 77 thousand 800 tons were created and modernized. The total capacity for storage of fruits and vegetables has increased to 832 thousand tons.

The international fair aims to familiarize the foreign partners with significant results, achieved in the agriculture and food industry in Uzbekistan, demonstrate organic fruit and vegetables, melons and various products, made on the basis of their processing, further strengthen local and international co-operation relations, find new partners, raise the export potential of our country.

The event was attended by representatives of international trade organizations, chambers of commerce, ministries and departments, specializing in agriculture, logistics companies for more than forty countries, including the US, UK, United Arab Emirates, South Korea, Japan, Italy, France, Malaysia India, Russia, Latvia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Iran, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, as well as enterprises of our country, operating in the field of agriculture.



The Forum provided an opportunity for talks between the businessmen of our country and foreign partners, facilitate the exchange of experience and definition of prospects of mutual cooperation, sign mutually beneficial agreements, attract foreign investment, analyze the trends of the world market and its prospects for development, and further increase the export potential of Uzbekistan.

Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoev spoke at the opening ceremony of the International fruit and vegetable fair.