In the first half of 2025, Uzbekistan's international trade topped $37 billion, an increase of 16.1% (by $5.1 billion) compared to the same period last year, the National Statistics Committee said in a report Wednesday.
Exports for January-June reached $16.9 billion - an increase of 29.1%, and imports - $20.1 billion (+7%). Due to the outstripping growth of exports, the trade deficit decreased by $2.5 billion - from $5.7 billion to $3.2 billion, mainly due to gold sales.
June exports
In June, the volume of exports increased by 16.9% compared to May. However, unlike May, when growth was due to gold and energy exports, in June gold exports virtually stopped (only $13.4 million), and energy supplies slowed down.
Excluding gold, exports for the month grew by 16.1%, energy and services — by 15.8%. For comparison, in May, exports excluding gold grew by 9.6%, and excluding the three above-mentioned categories — decreased by 1.1%.
Imports grew sharply due to China figures
Imports in June grew by 25.1% against 6.5% in May, which was due the growth of imports from China — by 52%. This may be due to expectations of new tariffs from the United States.
Imports also grew from Kazakhstan — by 31%, Russia — by 25%, Turkey — by 21%, India — by 97%.
Exports to Russia grew (by 20.3%), Afghanistan (15.5%), Kazakhstan (17.4%) and the UAE (by 2.3 times). While, exports to China decreased by 12.9% (the third decline in a row), to Turkey - by 23.9% (the fifth in a row), to Kyrgyzstan - by 24.7%.
Energy
Uzbekistan imported oil and oil products worth $1.02 billion in six months, which is 9.3% less than in the same period last year. The volume of gasoline supplies decreased to $815.8 million (-3.1%).
Exports of oil products during this period also decreased to $277.4 million (-1.9%) compared to January-June 2024.
Coal imports to the country increased and reached $89.3 million (+5.7%), and electricity supplies from other countries decreased to $65.3 million (-17.2%). At the same time, electricity exports increased sharply by 52.5% - to $100.6 million.
Over the six months, Uzbekistan imported gas worth $571.8 million. A significant portion of the supplies came in June — $286.3 million, which is more than for the previous five months combined ($285.5 million). However, this is 30% less than in the first half of 2024 ($809.5 million).
Against this background, gas exports also grew by 50.5% to $354.9 million.
Trade in other items
Textile exports continue to decline, amounting to $1.27 billion (-17%) over six months. This was due to a drop in supplies of finished textiles, textile yarn and fabrics — $786.7 million (-25.7%), textile fibers — $50 million (-15.3%). At the same time, 48% are finished textiles, 32% are yarn.
Reportedly, the export of vegetables and fruits increased sharply in value terms — to 847.3 million dollars (+40.5%). The physical volume of supplies increased to 1.08 million tons (+7.8%).
Supplies of grain and grain products abroad (mainly exported to Afghanistan) increased to 246.8 million dollars (+50.7%), imports to Uzbekistan increased slightly — 455.1 million dollars (+5.5%).
Uzbekistan began to import less sugar (in value terms) — $246.9 million (-17%), but more meat and meat products — $338.4 million (+75.1%), coffee, tea, cocoa and spices — $223.2 million (+19.7%), dairy products and eggs — $146.8 million (+51.1%), vegetable oils and fats — $236 million (+44%).
The volume of imports of medical and pharmaceutical products topped $948.9 million (+6.5%).
Exports of services (travel, transport, telecommunications services and others) increased by 21.9% to $4.06 billion. The largest part falls on tourism — $2.1 billion (share of 51.8%), transport — $1.39 billion (33.8%).
Imports in services increased by 38.6% to $2.07 billion, with tourism accounting for $1.16 billion (55.9% share).
Cars
In the first six months, Uzbekistan imported cars and other vehicles worth $1.52 billion. This is 8.5% less than in the same period last year.
A sharper decline was observed in the passenger car category - their import volume topped $422.1 million, which is 43.7% less than in the first half of 2024. At the same time, imports of car parts and accessories increased by 34.1% and reached $802 million.
