In the first eight months of 2026, Uzbekistan sharply increased its imports, which reached $34.5 bn, up 16.3% from the same period last year, according to a press release from the National Statistics Committee published on September 30. Exports in January–August, by contrast, fell 3.4% to $22.9 bn. As a result, the negative foreign trade balance almost doubled, from $6.04 bn to $11.7 bn. Total foreign trade turnover stood at $57.4 bn (+7.6%).
Imports of machinery and transport equipment grew the most, reaching $11.3 bn, or 32.6% of all imports, up 17.3% year on year. Purchases of cars and other vehicles rose 30% to $2.8 bn, and passenger cars alone were imported worth $1.1 bn, 1.7 times more. Imports of communication equipment and sound recording and reproducing equipment jumped 78.5% to $1.14 bn, while electrical equipment rose 29.6% to $1.8 bn. Imports of power generation equipment increased 39.1% to $1.18 bn.
Food imports grew faster than those of other major groups, rising 39.3% to $3.7 bn. Grain purchases reached $967 mn (+58.9%), meat and meat products $677 mn (+34.2%), and sugar and confectionery $476 mn (+43.9%). By comparison, grain exports totaled only $395 mn, while overall food exports ($1.79 bn) remained flat. Among industrial goods, imports of non-ferrous metals grew 75% to $708 mn. In energy, Uzbekistan bought liquefied propane worth $124 mn, 3.5 times more, and gasoline worth $437 mn (+48.6%). Diesel purchases fell 12.3% to $180 mn.
The main suppliers remain unchanged. China accounts for 32.4% of all imports, Russia for 17.4% and Kazakhstan for 7.9%. Trade turnover with China over the eight months reached $13.2 bn, and with Russia $9.2 bn. Among the fastest-growing partners in the top 10 were the UAE ($1.18 bn, up 1.4 times) and Hong Kong ($980 mn, versus $94 mn a year earlier).
Exports of services also grew markedly, rising 33.8% to $8.5 bn, with tourism accounting for more than half. Services made up 37.4% of all exports. Imports of services rose 14% to $4.6 bn, while imports of goods reached $30 bn, an increase of $4.3 bn.
