Business mission of Russian agricultural exporters began work in Tashkent

From the Russian side, 26 companies, 3 industry unions, as well as the leadership of the Russian Ministry of Agriculture, ROSSELKHOZNADZOR , leading banking organizations and industry experts are participating in the events. From the Uzbek side, the participation of more than 90 organizations is planned - representatives of authorities , the business community and industry associations.

At the opening ceremony, Deputy Minister of Agriculture of RUSSIA Sergey Levin noted that Uzbekistan is a reliable trading partner and one of the largest buyers of Russian agricultural products. Last year, trade turnover in this area increased by almost 40%. The main positions of Russian exports are oil and fat products and chocolate confectionery. Russia, in turn, imports fresh vegetables and fruits from the Republic .

Deputy Minister of Agriculture of Uzbekistan Umid Mamadaminov expressed recognition to the Russian side for striving to develop cooperation. “Today we are witnessing a comprehensive dynamic development of relations between our countries. I am sure that the visit of such a solid delegation of Russian businessmen will certainly contribute to the further development of bilateral cooperation,” Mamadaminov emphasized.

State Duma deputy Sergei Lisovsky drew attention to the development of ties not only in the business environment, but also at the legislative level. “There is a great interest of Uzbek colleagues, the Uzbek Parliament in relation to the laws that we have adopted over the past 20 years for the development of agriculture in Russia. I hope that new laws will also be adopted in Uzbekistan and will help develop the country's agricultural sector,” Lisovsky said. 

After the official opening of the mission and a tour of the Russian exposition, a plenary session was held to discuss the prospects for the development of trade, issues in the field of logistics, veterinary and phytosanitary supervision, as well as investment cooperation.

According to the HEAD of Agroexport, Dmitry Krasnov, who moderated the plenary session, Russia ranks second among the largest suppliers of agricultural products to Uzbekistan. Our country accounts for 48% of Uzbek imports of vegetable oils, 36% of dairy products, and 66% of confectionery. “We can increase exports to Uzbekistan, in the near future it may reach more than $1.6 billion. We can say that Uzbek exports will also grow. We hope that this business mission will allow us to establish closer interaction,” Krasnov added.

Sergey Lisovsky dwelled in detail on the development of joint projects in the field of agro-logistics infrastructure. The construction of wholesale distribution centers for food products will make it possible to intensify trade in agricultural products between our countries. According to him, the first of these facilities will begin its work this summer. 

The growth potential of mutual trade largely depends on the productive interaction of the control and supervision services of the two states, Vasily Lavrovsky, adviser to the head of the Rosselkhoznadzor, expressed his opinion. “An example of a mutually beneficial partnership is the cooperation between the phytosanitary services of Russia and Uzbekistan, with the direct participation of which a roadmap is being implemented to develop cooperation in the field of agriculture between the two countries,” Lavrovsky emphasized. Expanding the list of Russian exporters of livestock products with access to the Uzbek market could unlock the potential more fully. Currently, 405 Russian enterprises are listed in the register of Uzbekistan, while 1,128 production sites  are ready to meet the requirements of this country.

Abdurasul Boltaev, head of the state veterinary supervision department of the State Committee for Veterinary Medicine and Livestock Development of Uzbekistan, spoke about the country's requirements for imported livestock products, as well as the prospects for cooperation in the field of livestock breeding.

The expansion of investment cooperation and the implementation of joint projects also have significant prospects. According to Feruza Abdusamatova, Deputy Head of the Food Industry Development Department of the Ministry of Investments, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan, 78 investment projects based on Russian investments are being implemented as part of the state investment program for 2023, of which 33 projects worth $424 million are in the agro-industrial sector and textile industry. In addition, the exhibition “Innoprom. Central Asia - 2023", in which Russian business takes an active part. “According to preliminary data, within the framework of the current Innoprom-2023, it is planned to conclude 25 EXPORT contracts with Russian partners for the supply of food industry products in the amount of $50 million,” Abdusamatova announced. 

During the plenary session, the heads of industry unions and associations of the two countries spoke. Kamar Serkaev, Deputy Chairman of the Association of Fat and Oil Industry Enterprises “Uzegmoysanoat” Kamar Serkaev, Chairman of the Association of Food Industry of Uzbekistan Bakhodir Umirshaykhov, Chairman of the Association of Poultry Breeders of Uzbekistan “Parrandasanoat” Bakhodir Isaev, as well as General DIRECTOR of the National Union of Poultry Breeders Sergey Lakhtyukhov and Head of Information and Analytical Department of Soyuzrossahar Alexander Tsveshko.

The mission of Russian exporters of agricultural products with the Republic of Uzbekistan will last until April 27. The business program includes a round table dedicated to the HoReCa and retail sectors, a series of group meetings and trips, as well as the signing of bilateral cooperation agreements. In addition, more than 400 individual b2b meetings between Russian and Uzbek companies are planned.