TASHKENT - After a six-month hiatus, Uzbekistan has resumed gold sales on the international market, using one of the largest gold reserves in Central Asia to support export revenues and currency stability, Daryo.uz reports.
According to the Statistics Committee of Uzbekistan, the country exported more than $1.5 billion in gold in April 2026. This marked the first major shipment of precious metals since September 2025, when exports totaled $1.47 billion.
Despite the resumption of sales, total gold exports for January–April 2026 were almost four times lower than the same period last year—$1.5 billion versus $5.48 billion. Against this backdrop, the country's foreign trade deficit sharply increased—from $930 million to $6.38 billion.
At the same time, Uzbekistan maintains significant gold and foreign exchange reserves, the bulk of which traditionally consist of precious metals. Thanks to its large gold assets, Tashkent has the flexibility to regulate sales volumes on the global market depending on price conditions and the balance of payments.
The country's total export volume in the first four months of 2026 amounted to $9.97 billion, a 16.8% decrease compared to the same period last year. More than a third of export revenues—$3.46 billion—came from the services sector, which continues to play an increasingly important role in the country's foreign trade.
By the end of 2025, gold exports from Uzbekistan reached a record high, exceeding $9.9 billion, becoming a key factor in maintaining the stability of the national economy and the country's foreign exchange reserves.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
May 27, 2026