Uzbekistan plans to increase agrifood exports to $3.5 bln - president

TASHKENT. March 19 (Interfax) - Uzbekistan plans to increase agricultural exports to $3.5 billion in 2024 from $2 billion in 2023, the presidential press service quoted President Shavkat Mirziyoyev as saying.

Uzbekistan's "exports in the agricultural sector amounted to nearly $2 billion in 2023. However, our export capability is much higher. We plan to bring exports of agricultural products to $3.5 billion this year," Mirziyoyev said while visiting the national plant protection and quarantine agency.

The agency's management informed the president of work it has been doing to grow export crops, ensure high quality and safety of fruits and vegetables, and enter new potential markets.

The agency presented information on its cooperation under the ePhyto Solution international innovation system for sharing electronic phytosanitary certificates with 119 countries.

"As of present, we have received 620 phytosanitary permits to export agricultural produce to 80 countries. Within the framework of the GSP+ system, we have brought 200,000 hectares of farmland into line with international standards," it said.

According to the national statistics agency, Uzbekistan grew 23 million tonnes of fruits and vegetables in 2023.