Uzbekistan interested in supplies of 500,000 tonnes of wheat from Russia through Caspian ports

TASHKENT. Sept 14 (Interfax) - Uzbekistan is interested in supplies of 500,000 tonnes of wheat from Russia through the Caspian Sea this year, the Uzbek Chamber of Commerce and Industry said following a meeting in Moscow between the chamber's chairman, Davron Vakhabov, and the CEO of Russia's Steppe agroholding (part of AFK Sistema ), Andrei Neduzhko.

"The meeting discussed the possibilities of supplying 500,000 tonnes of wheat to Uzbekistan through the Caspian Sea in connection with the high grain harvest in Russia this year, and considered issues of organizing logistics routes through the ports of Astrakhan and Makhachkala," the chamber said.

The parties also assessed the possibilities of implementing joint projects in Uzbekistan's agricultural sector, in particular the localization of production of dairy and confectionery products.

"It was proposed to annually import 7,000 head of Holstein breeding cattle into Uzbekistan and assign them to families in the country's communities. It is noted that cows of this breed are distinguished by high productivity, in some cases giving more than 40 liters of milk per day. The implementation of this project is intended to promote the development of family entrepreneurship, create a source of stable income for the population, and also launch a mechanism that helps lift families out of poverty," the chamber said.

Following the meeting, the parties agreed to continue cooperation in these areas and to develop specific mechanisms for implementing joint projects.

The Steppe agroholding is engaged in crop production, dairy cattle breeding, trading of agricultural products and sugar and grocery trading, as well as the production and distribution of cheeses and dairy products. Its assets are located in Krasnodar and Stavropol Territories and the Rostov region.