Russia’s sugar exports to Uzbekistan saw strong growth in 2025, driven by rising demand and policy changes in the importing country, Russia’s Pivot To Asia reported.
According to the Russian Sugar Union, shipments of Russian sugar to Uzbekistan reached 417,000 tonnes in 2025, an increase of 170,000 tonnes compared to the previous year and the highest level in five years. Uzbekistan remains the largest buyer of Russian raw sugar and one of the leading importers of refined sugar from Russia.
In value terms, sugar and raw sugar accounted for the biggest share of Russia’s agricultural exports to Uzbekistan, with shipments rising 1.5 times to over $255 million, data from the Russian Agroexport Federal Center showed.
Industry officials said the sharp rise in exports was partly due to Uzbekistan’s decision to remove a 20 per cent excise duty on imported white sugar from October 1, 2025, which made imports more competitive.
The upward trend has continued into 2026, with exports already exceeding 80,000 tonnes since the beginning of the year, nearly three times higher than the same period last year.
Uzbekistan’s annual sugar consumption is estimated at 650,000 to 700,000 tonnes, indicating strong and steady demand for imports.
In addition to sugar, related products such as beet pulp are also gaining traction. Exports of beet pulp stood at 1,200 tonnes in 2025, with demand continuing to rise this year.
Alexei Ulyanov said Russia has become a key supplier of agricultural commodities to Uzbekistan, accounting for nearly a quarter of its total imports, with sugar playing a major role in the growing trade between the two countries.
