TASHKENT, Uzbekistan – Podrobno.uz. Climate change and water scarcity are emerging as critical factors for global agriculture. Against this backdrop, analysts view Uzbekistan as a promising exporter of fruit and vegetable products, provided further investments are made in irrigation and climate-resilient technologies.
According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), natural disasters caused $3.26 trillion in losses to agriculture between 1991 and 2023, resulting in the loss of 2.8 billion tons of fruits and vegetables.
Katerina Zvereva, head of the international platform EastFruit and agribusiness analyst, noted that climate risks are no longer a temporary issue but have become a key factor determining investment and profitability in the sector.
"If drought already accounts for 54% of agricultural losses in Europe, water is inevitably becoming one of the most important strategic resources in fruit and vegetable production," the expert emphasized.
According to her, by 2030, access to reliable irrigation systems may influence producer competitiveness even more than the size of agricultural land.
The study authors describe Uzbekistan as one of the most dynamically developing fruit and vegetable markets in Central Asia. The country is steadily increasing production and exports of cherries, table grapes, stone fruits, and vegetables.
Advantages include low labor costs, high production potential, and investments in logistics, cold storage, and modern warehouses. Against this backdrop, the country has a good chance to strengthen its position in the global fruit and vegetable market if it continues investments in irrigation and climate-resilient technologies.
However, further development of the sector directly depends on the efficiency of water resource management, according to analysts. Uzbekistan, along with Spain, Italy, Morocco, Egypt, and Turkey, is among countries where fruit and vegetable production is particularly sensitive to water availability.
Experts believe the global market is gradually transitioning to a new model where advantages will go to producers who ensure efficient water use, implement modern irrigation technologies, and develop advanced storage and export infrastructure.
Earlier, three Uzbek agencies signed a Concept for Integrated Water Resources Management of the Lower Amu Darya. The document aims at efficient water use, ecosystem preservation, and reducing environmental risks.
Source: podrobno.uz