China has maintained its status as Uzbekistan's largest trading partner, accounting for nearly a third of the total import volume. Meanwhile, Russia continues to hold the first place among markets for Uzbek products. This data was obtained by the National Committee on Statistics and analyzed by the publication 'Gazeta.'
Russia Remains a Key Market of Sale
From January to June, Russia became the largest destination for Uzbekistan's exports, receiving $2.37 billion, which accounts for 14.9% of the country's total exports. China is in second place with $1.42 billion (9% share). Next are Afghanistan with $961.5 million (6.1%), Kazakhstan with $717 million (4.5%), France with $707.2 million (4.5%), Hong Kong with $543.1 million (3.4%), and Turkey with $516.2 million (3.3%). Kyrgyzstan accounted for 2.9%, and the UAE for 2.2%. In total, the nine largest destinations accounted for more than half of all of Uzbekistan's exports.
China Accounts for Nearly a Third of All Imports
China acts as the main supplier of goods and services to Uzbekistan. In the first six months, imports from the PRC reached $8.05 billion, equivalent to 32% of the total volume. Imports from Russia amounted to $4.64 billion (18.5%), and from Kazakhstan—$2.07 billion (8.2%). South Korea, Turkey, Germany, and India also made significant contributions ($906.8 million, 3.6%; $881.4 million, 3.5%; $539.1 million, 2.1%; and $514 million, 2%), respectively. Overall, the seven leading partner countries—China, Russia, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Turkey, Germany, and India—accounted for over 70% of all imports. Furthermore, China and Russia together covered 50.5% of all foreign purchases.
China further strengthened its position in foreign trade. The total trade turnover between Uzbekistan and China for the half-year increased to $9.47 billion compared to $6.85 billion the previous year, representing an increase of about 38%. Trade turnover with Russia grew from $6.06 billion to $7.01 billion (+15.7%), and with Kazakhstan—from $2.21 billion to $2.78 billion (+25.9%). The trade turnover with Afghanistan notably increased, rising from $718.8 million to $1.08 billion (+50.2%). Trade with Hong Kong showed sharp growth, increasing more than eightfold—from $72 million to $543.7 million. Additionally, trade with the UAE grew from $560.9 million to $807.7 million (+44%), and with Kyrgyzstan—from $430.8 million to $624.6 million (+45%).
Overall, in January-June, Uzbekistan traded with over 195 countries worldwide. China accounted for 23.1% of the total foreign trade turnover (up from 17.9% previously), and Russia accounted for 17.1% (up from 15.9%), Kazakhstan for 6.8% (up from 5.8%), Turkey for 3.4%, and Afghanistan for 2.6%.
Dynamics of Trade with China
Exports to China increased by approximately 32.4% for the half-year, reaching $1.42 billion, while imports rose by 39.3%, totaling $8.05 billion. As a result, the negative trade balance with China reached approximately $6.62 billion, compared to $4.7 billion the previous year. However, monthly export variability was observed: in April, Uzbekistan supplied goods and services to China worth $278 million, which is 78.6% higher than the previous year's figure. In May, the volume was $238.6 million (+59%), and in June, exports grew by 11.4% compared to May, reaching $265.8 million, although this was a decrease of 16.5% compared to June of the previous year.
Dynamics of Trade with Russia
Trade turnover with Russia increased by 15.7%, reaching $7.01 billion. Exports to Russia grew by approximately 15.4%, amounting to $2.37 billion, while imports grew by 15.9%, reaching $4.64 billion. In April, exports to Russia were about $399.8 million (+20.2% year-on-year), in May—$430.8 million (+13.5%), and in June—$488 million (+7.5%). Annual growth rates slowed for the third consecutive month.
Trade with Kazakhstan shows a noticeable imbalance: trade turnover grew by 25.9% to $2.78 billion. Exports to Kazakhstan increased by only about 5.4% (to $717 million), while imports rose by approximately 35% (to $2.07 billion), resulting in a trade deficit of about $1.35 billion. In April, exports to Kazakhstan grew by 40.6% year-on-year (to $142.7 million), and in May—to $148.1 million (+31.7%). In June, supplies amounted to $143.4 million, which was 3.2% less than the May level and 9.9% lower than the June figure of the previous year.
Exports to Afghanistan continue to grow, although monthly volumes are decreasing. Trade turnover with Afghanistan increased by 50.2%, reaching $1.08 billion. Exports grew by approximately 60.2% (to $961.5 million), allowing Afghanistan to become Uzbekistan's third-largest export market. In April, exports were about $200.1 million (+80.8% year-on-year), in May—$174.1 million (+98.2%), and in June—$143.7 million (+68.2%).
Unusual Dynamics of Trade with Hong Kong
Trade with Hong Kong demonstrated the most atypical dynamics. Foreign trade turnover for the half-year increased more than eightfold—from $72 million to $543.7 million. Exports grew by approximately 20 times, from $26.8 million to $543.1 million. The main growth occurred in the spring months. In April, exports to Hong Kong amounted to about $110.3 million, which is 18 times the previous year's figure. In May, supplies increased by another 33.9% compared to April, reaching $147.7 million, which is approximately 27 times more than in May 2025. In June, exports reached a new monthly high of $157.9 million, an increase of 6.9% from May and more than 23 times that of June of the previous year. Thus, for April-June, Hong Kong accounted for about $416 million, which is more than three-quarters of exports to this destination in the first half of the year.
Growth of Trade with Kyrgyzstan
Trade turnover with Kyrgyzstan increased by approximately 45%, reaching $624.6 million. Exports grew by 70% (to $452.7 million), while imports increased by only about 4.5%. In April, exports were $84.3 million (+75.9% year-on-year), in May—$87.7 million (+33.8%). In June, supplies sharply accelerated to $110.8 million, which is 26.3% more than the May figure and 2.1 times the June figure of the previous year.
Decline in Exports to France
Trade with France grew by 30.7%, reaching $890.9 million. Exports for the half-year increased by approximately 56% (to $707.2 million), but imports decreased by approximately 19.6%. In April, exports to France were $92.7 million (+37.1% year-on-year). In May, they grew by 37.6% compared to April, reaching $127.6 million (+32.8%). In June, supplies fell by 36.5% compared to May, amounting to $81 million. Year-on-year growth almost stalled, amounting to only 2.8%.
Trade turnover with Turkey increased by 3.7%, reaching $1.4 billion. Exports to the Turkish market remained largely unchanged in the first half of the year, at about $516.2 million (-0.3%). However, sharp fluctuations were observed during the period: in April, exports were $129.8 million (+56.5% year-on-year), and in May—$146.8 million (+54.2%). In June, supplies unexpectedly dropped to about $8 million, which is more than 8 times less than in June 2025 ($82.6 million).
The United Arab Emirates showed a 44% growth in trade turnover for the half-year, reaching $807.7 million. Exports increased by approximately 15.2% (to $353.4 million), and imports—by almost 79% (to $454.3 million). In the spring, exports showed strong growth: in April, supplies were $93.2 million, almost 2.8 times more than the previous year, and in May—$78.4 million (+60.8%). Nevertheless, in June, exports sharply fell to $9.5 million (compared to $77.6 million in June of the previous year).
Exports to Tajikistan increased by approximately 37.7% in the first half of the year, reaching $333.3 million. In April, supplies were $72.5 million (+78.5% year-on-year), in May—$80.3 million (+58.6%). In June, exports nearly halved compared to May, amounting to $39.6 million, which was 5.7% below the June 2025 level.
Another trend was noted in exports to the USA: in April, supplies were $31.1 million (+39.4% year-on-year), in May—$37.3 million (+59.2%), and in June—rose to $45.3 million (2.1 times). Over six months, the total volume of supplies to the USA reached approximately $205.1 million, exceeding last year's level by 35.8%.
Trade with several other countries also grew: with South Korea—to $940 million (+11.5%), with Turkmenistan—to $598.9 million (+9%), with Belarus—to $527 million (+28.5%), with Tajikistan—to $434.6 million (+35.5%), with Iran—to $304.8 million (+37.4%), with Italy—to $264.3 million (+28.5%), with Vietnam—to $213.1 million (+66%), and with Ukraine—to $206.1 million (+35.7%).
Countries with Reduced Trade Turnover
Among major partners, a decrease in overall trade turnover for the first half of the year was recorded with India and Germany. Trade with India decreased by 6.8%, amounting to $598.1 million, and with Germany—by 4.9%, reaching $623.2 million. Conversely, exports to Germany showed an increase of approximately 25.7%, rising to $84.1 million. In April, supplies to Germany grew by 46.6% year-on-year, and in May—