Uzbekistan’s wheat flour imports drop by over 10 percent in 2025

According to the National Statistics Committee, Uzbekistan imported 422.6 thousand tons of wheat flour from eight foreign nations in 2025. The total value of these imports amounted to $124.6 million.

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Data indicates that the volume of wheat flour imports decreased by 48.3 thousand tons, or 10.3 percent, compared to 2024. Experts suggest this downward trend may be attributed to a rise in domestic production, expanded utilization of local raw materials, or a strategic shift in the country's import structure.

Neighboring states provided the vast majority of Uzbekistan's wheat flour supply in 2025. Kazakhstan continues to hold an absolute majority in the market share, followed by Russia, while contributions from other nations remain marginal.

Key suppliers of wheat flour in 2025:

Kazakhstan – 399.8 thousand tons
Russia – 22.1 thousand tons
Tajikistan – 425 tons
USA – 90 tons
Kyrgyzstan – 50 tons
Other nations – 71.3 tons

Factors behind the import reduction

The contraction in import volumes can be explained by several interconnected factors. Notably, the domestic milling industry has seen an increase in production capacity, supported by higher volumes of grain cultivation and processing within the internal market.

Additionally, changes in regional logistics and international pricing policies, alongside government measures to optimize imports, have played a role in the shifting landscape.

Despite the overall reduction in imports, the report highlights a significant concentration in the supply chain. The heavy reliance on Kazakhstan, which accounts for nearly the entire import volume, underscores a continued dependence on a single source for a staple food product.