Banana consumption in Uzbekistan is increasing fast

In January-October 2022, Uzbekistan imported nearly 2 instances extra bananas in comparison with the identical interval final yr. Furthermore, the amount of banana imports within the interval below evaluation reveals a two-fold improve for the second yr in a row, EastFruit analysts say.

In line with the State Statistics Committee, Uzbekistan imported 112 300 tonnes of bananas in 10 months of 2022, which is 1.9 instances greater than in the identical interval final yr. For comparability, the nation imported 2.2 extra bananas in 10 months of 2021 than in the identical interval of 2020.

Because the chart above reveals, the amount of banana imports to Uzbekistan in January-October 2020 decreased by 11% in comparison with the identical interval in 2019. Earlier than the COVID-19 pandemic, banana consumption in Uzbekistan grew quickly, however the pandemic interrupted the rising pattern. One of many components behind this was false rumors that COVID-19 was transmitted from bananas shipped from China. Regardless of the absurdity of such rumors, they nonetheless had a unfavourable impression on banana consumption in Uzbekistan.

Nonetheless, in keeping with statistics, the amount of banana consumption in Uzbekistan recovered within the subsequent years. What’s extra, it’s rising quick. As EastFruit consultants have repeatedly famous, one of many fundamental causes is the growth of grocery store chains, which have a vital impression on the banana commerce within the nation. Bananas are a really handy product for supermarkets since they are often imported immediately all yr spherical and bought cheaper than at markets attributable to giant volumes. Subsequently, bananas are the most-sold fruit within the supermarkets of Uzbekistan. In line with the outcomes of an on-line survey by the Makro grocery store chain (Uzbekistan), each third purchaser of this chain known as bananas their favourite product, with out which they don’t go away the shops of the chain. Thus, because the variety of grocery store chain shops within the nation grows, banana consumption will improve.

A further incentive for the expansion of banana consumption in Uzbekistan is the choice of the nation’s authorities to zero import customs duties on bananas. A zero-rate customs responsibility regime has been in impact in Uzbekistan for the import of bananas since October 2021. By the choice of the federal government of the nation, the interval of validity of customs privileges for the import of banana and citrus fruits was prolonged on November 17, 2022, for one more six months.

The primary provider of bananas to Uzbekistan, as in earlier years, is Ecuador. It accounts for 99.2% of the overall banana imports in January-October 2022. The remainder of the imported quantity was equipped by Kazakhstan (426 tonnes), Turkey (197 tonnes), India (144 tonnes), and Kyrgyzstan (99 tonnes).

For extra data: east-fruit.com