TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, January 30. The French Business Movement (MEDEF) expressed interest in investing in projects for fruit and vegetable processing in Uzbekistan, Trend reports.
This was revealed during a meeting between the representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture of Uzbekistan with a delegation from MEDEF to discuss new opportunities for cooperation.
During the talks, members of the French delegation highlighted their willingness to establish partnerships in their respective industries, emphasizing the potential for joint initiatives in the agricultural sector.
In addition to investment in food processing, the French companies also expressed interest in enhancing the technological development, reliability, and quality of agricultural machinery and related services in Uzbekistan. They proposed creating a platform for affordable agricultural production through industrial cooperation and aligning business goals with local entrepreneurs.
At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides agreed to develop proposals for collaboration across various agricultural sectors and to continue strengthening their partnership in the future.
Meanwhile, the volume of agricultural production in Uzbekistan reached 444.6 trillion soums ($34.2 billion) in 2024. This included 218.8 trillion soums ($16.8 billion) in crop production (up by 2.2 percent) and 225.8 trillion soums ($17.4 billion) in livestock production (up by 4 percent).
The agricultural economy of Uzbekistan is multifaceted, with fruit and vegetable production serving as a significant component. This industry substantially contributes to the nation's gross domestic product and employs a considerable portion of the population. In recent years, the government has enacted multiple programs to enhance agricultural output, concentrating on the modernization of farming practices, improvement of irrigation infrastructure, and expansion of export markets. Over the past decade, fruit and vegetable production in Uzbekistan has shown substantial growth. As per the data from the State Statistics Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan, approximately 20 million tons of fruits and vegetables will be cultivated in 2023, reflecting a consistent increase compared to prior years.