In the first seven months of 2024, Uzbekistan's international trade topped $36.8 billion, which is by $1.86 billion, or 5.3%, more than in the same period of 2023, the Statistics Agency said in a report.

Exports, including of gold, decreased by 1.1% (in January-July 2023, there was an increase of 31%) - to $14.79 billion. Meanwhile, exports excluding non-monetary gold sped up by 10.9% - to $10.59 billion (for the same period last year, growth was 10.4%).

Imports grew by 10.1% to $22.05 billion (by 18.1% in the first seven months of 2023). The share of imports in foreign trade turnover increased from 57.2% to 59.9%.

The trade deficit increased from $5.07 billion to $7.26 billion.

The decline in exports was due to a quarter-decrease in gold supplies. If $5.64 billion worth of precious metal was shipped abroad in the first seven months of last year, then since the beginning of this year it has been $4.19 billion (-25.6%).

During this period, Uzbekistan increased its vegetable exports by 16.5% to $801.9 million, meat and meat products by $20.4 million (+13.1 times), dairy products and eggs by $19.3 million (+2 times), oil and oil products by $399.9 million (+2.8 times), electricity by $68.6 million (+45.3%), inorganic chemicals by $516.2 million (+77.3%), fertilizers by $184 million (+19.3%), non-ferrous metals by $862.5 million (+6.5%), other transport equipment by $112 million (+4.3 times), and machinery designed for specific industries by $52.4 million (+65.4%).

While, supplies of grain and grain products decreased — $195.6 million (-30.4%), beverages — $29 million (-34.3%), cast iron and steel — $124 million (-8.2%), cars, including spare parts — $199.5 million (-23.3%).

Tourism revenues grew by 41.4% at once — from $1.23 billion to $1.75 billion. The share of tourism in services exports increased from 42.1% to 47.1%. Previously, most of them came from transportation services, revenues from which are growing slightly more slowly — $1.4 billion (+11.3%).

Telecommunication, computer and information services exports increased by 57.8% — from $189.5 million to $299.1 million.

Textile exports decreased by 4.4% — to $1.78 billion.

Uzbekistan is gradually returning to last year's gas export volumes. Year-to-date, foreign supplies have reached $323.1 million, which is 5.5% less than in the same period last year ($341.9 million). In January, this figure was $21 million, in February - $5.7 million, in March - $18.7 million, in April - $6.9 million, in May - $7.6 million, in June - $181.5 million.

Gas imports reached $983.7 million, which is almost 5 times more than in the first seven months of 2023. In May, the import volume was $180.4 million, in June - $166.3 million, in July - $174.2 million.

Imports of sugar, sugar products and honey increased by 12.5% ​​to $367 million, vegetables and fruits by $254.1 million (+30%), meat and meat products by $242 million (+41.3%), live animals by $61.1 million (+46.5%), coffee, tea, cocoa and spices by $223.8 million (+12.7%), beverages by $103.2 million (+48%), and animal feed by $159.1 million (+24.4%).

Also, supplies of oil and oil products to Uzbekistan increased — $1.3 billion (+29.7%), medical and pharmaceutical products — $1.05 billion (+24.6%, it is worth considering the rise in price of medicines due to the abolition of VAT benefits, which could lead to an increase in imports in value terms), power generating machines and equipment — $629.7 million (+1.5 times), electrical machines, devices and other devices — $1.34 billion (+1.6 times), metalworking machines — $182.7 million (+1.4 times),

While, imports of cars, including spare parts, fell — $1.86 billion (-20.2%).

Trade with China began to slow down (-0.007%) — from $6.899 billion to $6.85 billion (in the same period last year, there was a growth of 30.%), mainly due to a drop in Uzbek exports — from $1.53 billion to $1.17 billion (-23.3%). While, imports from China to Uzbekistan increased by 5.7%.

The growth of trade turnover with Russia rose sharply, by 29% — from $5.27 billion to $6.8 billion (in January-July last year, the growth was 8.4%). Both exports and imports between the countries are growing.

Trade with Kazakhstan continues to decline — from $2.49 billion to $2.27 billion (-8.6%). Uzbek exports fell to $735.4 million (-8.9%), and imports from Kazakhstan — $1.54 billion (-8.5%).

Trade with Kyrgyzstan (-29.9%), Tajikistan (-10.5%), Turkey (-8.9%), South Korea (-6.3%), Germany (-1.3%), Brazil (-31.4%) decreased.

While, trade turnover Turkmenistan, France, Afghanistan, the USA, India, Lithuania and others increased.

China's share in Uzbekistan's international trade stood at 18.6%, Russia's - 18.5%, Kazakhstan's - 6.2%, Turkey's - 4.6%, and the Republic of Korea's - 3.2%. For comparison, in January-July 2023, the shares were distributed as follows: China (19.7%), Russia (15.1%), Kazakhstan (7.1%), Turkey (5.3%), and the Republic of Korea (3.6%).