Uzbekistan's foreign trade turnover in January–June 2026 reached $41 billion, an increase of 7.4% compared to the same period last year, according to a report from the National Statistics Committee of Uzbekistan, Daryo.uz reports.
Exports totaled $15.9 billion, a decrease of 8.8%, while imports increased by 21% to $25.1 billion. Exports of goods excluding gold increased by 28.7% to $8.2 billion. During the first half of the year, Uzbekistan maintained trade relations with 195 countries. The largest partners were China, with a 23.1% share of foreign trade, Russia with 17.1%, Kazakhstan with 6.8%, Turkey with 3.4%, and Afghanistan with 2.6%.
The growth in foreign trade was primarily driven by increased imports, reflecting strong domestic demand and increased purchases of equipment, technology, and intermediate goods for economic modernization. At the same time, the growth of non-resource exports indicates a gradual expansion of the production base. However, the decline in total exports, due in part to the dynamics of gold shipments, maintains a trade deficit.
Prospects lie in further export diversification and regional cooperation. The stated potential for increasing trade turnover with Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan to $10 billion could strengthen Uzbekistan's role as an industrial and trade hub for Central Asia.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
July 29, 2026