Sunflower oil replaces cottonseed oil in Uzbekistan

According to preliminary estimates by the State Statistics Committee of Uzbekistan, in January-August 2025, the country significantly increased its dependence on external suppliers of sunflower oil, importing 163.4 thousand tons of the product from three key sources for a total of 163.1 million US dollars. This volume exceeded the indicators of the same period in 2024 by almost two times – the growth was 79.4 thousand tons, which indicates a rapid increase in demand for this product in the domestic market. Among the main suppliers, Kazakhstan dominates, from where 163.3 thousand tons came, while minor consignments were imported from Russia and Georgia – 111.6 tons and 0.1 tons, respectively, which emphasizes the regional orientation of trade.

In parallel with imports, Uzbekistan is demonstrating impressive growth rates in its own sunflower oil production: in eight months of 2025, large enterprises produced 83.5 thousand tons, which is twice as much as in the corresponding period last year. This jump is explained by the modernization of processing facilities and state support for the agricultural sector, including zero customs rates on raw material imports, which have been extended until 2026. Such steps not only stabilize supplies on the domestic market, but also create the prerequisites for future exports, transforming Uzbekistan from a net importer into a more self-sufficient player in the regional oil business.

At the same time, against the backdrop of successes with sunflower oil, the country is reducing imports of traditional cottonseed oil, which was dominant in previous decades. Experts predict a fundamental transformation of the consumption structure: new products, such as sunflower oil, will set records for demand and export growth, while classic oils for the region risk stagnation or even decline due to changing eating habits and economic realities.

Tags: sunflower oil, Uzbekistan, cottonseed oil