Uzbekistan sees sluggish progress in expanding poultry production

During the first 9 months of 2025, Uzbekistan saw robust growth in poultry imports, likely falling short of its ambitious target to boost poultry production to 1 million tonnes this year and become a net broiler meat exporter.

Uzbekistan imported 54,600 tonnes of poultry meat, 14.2% up compared with the previous year, the National Statistical Committee recently revealed. Most poultry was imported from Russia, Turkey, and Belarus, and relatively small volumes also came from Belgium and the Netherlands.

Uzbekistan sees a surge in poultry imports despite the government’s plans to ramp up poultry production to 1 million tonnes in 2025, up from 800,000 tonnes in the previous year, as outlined by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in January.

Despite substantial efforts to boost poultry production, Uzbekistan has fallen short of its declared target. As of 1 October, the country’s poultry population was estimated at 110 million heads, up 8.7% from the previous year. Meat and poultry production inched up by 2.7% to 2.17 million tonnes, according to official government information.

Egg production climbed by 6.2% to 6.7 million pieces. The target to boost egg production to 10.5 billion pieces, set at the beginning of the year, seems out of reach.

Uzbekistan has not publicly disclosed any information on poultry exports. During the January meeting, Mirziyoyev tasked the government to generate US$180 million in revenue from poultry exports in 2025.

Uzbekistan lifted restrictions on poultry exports in July 2024, imposed to ensure a stable supply to the domestic market.

Uzbekistan has embarked on some of the most ambitious poultry industry development programmes in Central Asia. Since 1 April, all poultry farms in the country have become eligible for a 50% reimbursement of VAT from the state budget.

In addition, the government has allocated US$50 million for financial support to poultry farmers in various forms. It was estimated that the money was sufficient to create 1 million jobs in the poultry industry, primarily in the backyard and independent farms segments, which remain the industry’s backbone.

Separately, the government announced plans to help large farms acquire less efficient small players and to facilitate cooperation between farmers and meat processors.

Tags: broiler, exports, Meat, Poultry, Production, imports, Uzbekistan