BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 15. Uzbekistan’s
agriculture, forestry and fisheries sector attracted 26 trillion
soums (about $2.2 billion) in foreign investment and loans for
fixed capital from January through June 2026, accounting for 10% of
the country’s total foreign investment and loans.
This was reflected in the statement by the National Statistics
Committee of Uzbekistan.
According to the Statistics Committee, the amount has increased
sharply in recent years. Foreign investment and loans directed to
the sector stood at 3 trillion soums (around $254.6 million) in the
period from January through June 2022, rising to 2.4 trillion soums
(approx. $203.7 million) in 2023, 6.1 trillion soums (about $517.7
million) in 2024, 16.9 trillion soums (about $1.4 billion) in 2025
and 26 trillion soums (around $2.2 billion) in 2026.
Trend’s
calculations show that foreign investment and loans in the sector
increased by about 54% year on year in the first half of 2026.
Compared with the same period in 2022, the volume was almost 8.7
times higher, highlighting the rapid expansion of foreign financing
for agricultural and related projects.
The increase in investment comes as agriculture, forestry and
fisheries remain an important part of Uzbekistan’s economy. The
sector accounted for 15% of gross value added in the first half of
2026, while output in agriculture, forestry and fisheries increased
4.7% year on year.
In Trend’s
assessment, the sharp rise in foreign financing indicates growing
investor interest in Uzbekistan’s agricultural sector, potentially
driven by opportunities in food production, processing, irrigation,
logistics and export-oriented agriculture. The increase also
suggests that the sector is becoming more important within the
country’s broader investment strategy.
Furthermore, Trend’s analysis shows that the key challenge will be
converting the rapid inflow of foreign capital into higher
productivity and export capacity. If investment is directed toward
modern technologies, processing facilities, and more efficient use
of land and water resources, it could help the sector move beyond
production growth toward greater value added and stronger
integration into regional and international food markets.
