Cabinet of Ministers lifts restrictions on export of sunflower and vegetable oil

The Cabinet of Ministers lifted restrictions on the export of sunflower and vegetable oil, the press service of the Business Ombudsman reported.

According to a government decree dated March 13, companies are allowed to export from Uzbekistan the oil they pressed from imported sunflower and cotton seeds.

Oil factories are allowed to supply abroad up to 50% of the finished sunflower and vegetable oil they import, obtained as a result of processing oilseeds.

For the export of sunflower seeds, the permitted level is set at 35%, and for seeds and fruits of other oilseeds and soybeans – 17%.

Moreover, restrictions on the export of other vegetable and fruit seed oils from the customs territory of Uzbekistan are lifted. The exception applies only to sunflower and cottonseed oils, as well as mixed oils.

In November 2023, the Ministry of Economy and Finance proposed to lift part of the restriction on the export of vegetable oils to improve the business environment in the oil extraction industry.

The export of cottonseed, sunflower and other vegetable oils has been suspended since June 1, 2022 by presidential decree. The reason given was the need to satisfy domestic demand and stabilize prices.

In addition, the export of sunflower seeds and other oilseeds was banned. At the same time, it is allowed to export abroad products produced under the “processing in the customs zone” regime.