Uzbekistan targets $1 billion in chemical exports by 2030

On 3 December, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed proposals to develop the chemical industry and increase both production and exports.

By 2030, Uzbekistan intends to double its overall chemical production, increase mineral fertilizer output by 1.5 times, and raise exports to $1 billion. Work is under way on 21 major projects worth $1 billion, with an additional pipeline of initiatives valued at $4.5 billion prepared for the next three years.

However, outdated capacities at several enterprises are eroding competitiveness due to rising energy costs. In the production of nitrogen fertilizers, for example, energy accounts for up to 55 percent of total costs. The discussion stressed the urgent need to sharply reduce expenses through energy-efficient technologies and digitalization.

Neighboring countries have a combined demand for $1 billion worth of chemical products. Deeper processing of domestic raw materials would allow Uzbekistan to develop new products and double its exports.

Since the beginning of the year, new facilities in Tashkent, Navoi and Jizzakh regions have launched the production of green fertilizers, cyanide salts, potassium sulfate and other high value-added products. The president instructed officials to develop a strategy to increase their exports.

The meeting also addressed fertilizer supply for the cotton sector. Uzbekistan aims to harvest 4.5 million tons of cotton in 2026.

The president set the task of building a reserve of phosphates and ensuring timely supplies of sulfuric acid to fertilizer manufacturers. He also ordered the prompt issuance of concessional loans to farmers for the purchase of fertilizers.