Uzbekistan's grain harvest falls 7% in 2025, cotton up by a third

TASHKENT. Dec 10 (Interfax) - Uzbekistan has harvested 8.4 million tonnes grain this year with an average yield of 85 centners per hectare, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said at a meeting with agricultural workers.

He said approximately 4 million tonnes of cotton had been harvested from 875,000 hectares of land, with the average yield reaching 46 centners per hectare for the first time.

Uzbekistan harvested 9 million tonnes of grain and over 3 million tonnes of cotton in 2024, so this year's grain harvest fell 6.7%, while the cotton harvest increased by approximately a third.

Mirziyoyev also said that in the last three years, 155,000 hectares of orchards and vineyards had been planted, and the area of intensive orchards had increased to 150,000 hectares. This year, 3.4 million tonnes of fruit, 2 million tonnes of grapes, 19.5 million tonnes of vegetables, potatoes and wheat crops and 1 million tonnes of legumes and oilseeds were grown.

Since the beginning of the year, food exports have grown by 37% to reach $3 billion, and by the end of 2025, this figure will exceed $3.2 billion for the first time. The number of countries to which fruits and vegetables are exported has increased by 18 to 83.

Mirziyoyev unveiled plans to expand cotton cultivation in 2026 using new agricultural technologies and focusing on developing domestic varieties. Research into developing varieties resilient to drought and heat will be intensified, and a three-year program for developing horticulture and viticulture will be adopted.

To bring the level of mechanization in cotton production to 85% next year, Uzbekistan plans to procure another 800 cotton harvesters, 450 multifunctional seeders and 3,000 film collection machines.

Mirziyoyev said that ensuring price stability in the markets and food security should remain the focus of constant attention. Reserves of basic food are currently being built up for the autumn-winter period. From now on, this process will be carried out throughout the year, and a mechanism of constant state intervention will be introduced to stabilize prices.

Another important area is increasing meat and milk production. There are plans to import 100,000 head of cattle and 200,000 head of sheep and goats in 2026. Next year, $157 million will be allocated to livestock projects from resources provided by the World Bank and the International Fund for Agricultural Development. These funds will be provided to livestock farmers for 10 years at 17% with a three-year grace period.