The Association of Soft Drink and Juice Producers of Uzbekistan (UzBev) has strongly criticized the planned introduction of a 300,000-ton annual quota on white sugar imports, set to take effect on January 1, 2027. According to UzBev Executive Director Alfiya Musina, these restrictive measures are allegedly bound to drive up raw material costs, increase manufacturing overheads, and intensify inflationary pressures across the national economy.

Industry experts point out that Uzbekistan's annual demand for sugar fluctuates between 650,000 and 700,000 tons. Customs data indicates that the country imported 652,800 tons of sugar and raw materials worth $440.1 million in the first nine months of the year alone, highlighting a massive reliance on foreign supplies. The proposed quota of 300,000 tons reportedly falls drastically short of actual market requirements, raising serious concerns regarding potential supply bottlenecks and manufacturing halts.

Furthermore, the business community has raised questions over the legal validity and transparency of the new framework. The governmental decree introducing the quotas has purportedly been classified for internal use only and omitted from public legislative portals. UzBev argues that such closed-door policymaking violates international trade standards, allegedly contradicts World Trade Organization (WTO) principles regarding quantitative restrictions, and fails to guarantee fair, non-discriminatory access for all market participants.

Source: www.gazeta.uz