Uzbekistan exits the ranks of the world's largest grape exporting countries

By the end of 2023, Uzbekistan is no longer among the top global grape exporters, according to the "East Fruit" portal.

In 2022, Uzbekistan was ranked 9th in global grape exports. However, by 2023, it fell 11 positions to 20th place. This dramatic decline is attributed to an 8-fold reduction in export volume within a single year, primarily due to a significant vineyard loss caused by abnormal cold weather.

The destruction of vineyards has dealt a severe blow to the fruit and vegetable industry, given that grapes were a major export product and a crucial income source for many small farmers in Uzbekistan.

The impact of these losses extends beyond fresh grapes to the dried fruit sector, as raisins (dried grapes) are also a significant agricultural export. While raisin exports have been diversified, new grape varieties are primarily sold to neighboring countries due to outdated methods and complicated logistics.

It is worth noting that earlier, in the village of Zarkent in the Parkent district of the Tashkent region, the international wine festival "Uzum Sayli" was held. The local budget received 1.3 billion sums for organizing the festival, as allocated by the governor of the Tashkent region, Zoyir Mirzaev.