Market
Turkish delight (lokum) in Uzbekistan sits within the broader sugar confectionery category (commonly aligned to HS 1704.90) and is supplied by a mix of imports and domestic confectionery manufacturing. On a trade-proxy basis, Uzbekistan imported about USD 44.96 million of HS 170490 sugar confectionery in 2023, with major supplying countries including the Russian Federation, Ukraine, Turkey, Kazakhstan, and China. Uzbekistan also exports sugar confectionery regionally (about USD 5.84 million in 2023), indicating an active domestic confectionery production base alongside imports. Distribution into the consumer market is supported by modern retail chains and established domestic distributors/manufacturers operating from Tashkent and nationwide channels.
Market RoleNet importer with domestic confectionery manufacturing and regional exports
Domestic RoleDomestic confectionery manufacturers and distributors supply the local market while imports cover a large share of packaged sugar confectionery assortment.
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighMarket access can be blocked or delayed if imported Turkish delight/confectionery lacks the required permitting documents for Uzbekistan clearance pathways (notably sanitary-epidemiological conclusion and, where applicable, certificate of conformity); Uzbek-language marking can also be a gating condition for issuance of certain certificates for listed consumer goods, depending on the product’s inclusion and applicable exceptions.Confirm the exact HS/tariff line and whether the SKU falls under lists requiring sanitary-epidemiological conclusion and/or conformity certification; prepare the customs declaration + transport/invoice set, and align packaging/label content to the food marking technical regulation and any Uzbek-marking conditions needed for certificate issuance.
Geopolitics MediumCategory-level supply exposure is influenced by heavy import reliance from a small set of origin countries (including Russia and Ukraine for HS 170490 in 2023); disruptions, sanctions-related banking friction, or corridor constraints can tighten availability and raise replacement costs for imported confectionery lines.Diversify approved suppliers (including Turkey/EU/other origins), maintain safety stock for key SKUs, and pre-validate payment/logistics routes with forwarders experienced in Uzbekistan clearance.
Food Safety MediumTurkish delight quality is sensitive to process hygiene and post-cook handling (e.g., cutting surfaces, dusting materials, packaging), and poor control can elevate microbiological risk or shorten shelf stability, increasing the chance of rejection by buyers or regulators.Require documented HACCP/ISO 22000 controls from producers, verify batch COAs where available, and audit high-contact steps (cooling/setting, cutting, dusting, packing) for hygiene and foreign matter control.
Sustainability- Packaging waste (gift boxes, plastic trays/film) and retailer expectations for responsible packaging can be a practical ESG theme for confectionery sold through modern trade.
Labor & Social- Uzbekistan has a widely documented history of forced labor concerns in the cotton sector; while ILO reporting found the 2021 cotton harvest free from systemic forced and child labor, international NGOs continue to report that forced labor risk persists in the cotton sector, which can affect broader country-level human-rights due diligence expectations for Uzbekistan-origin supply chains.
Standards- HACCP
- ISO 22000
- ISO 9001
- Halal certification (where positioned for Muslim consumer segments)
FAQ
Which countries are the main external suppliers of sugar confectionery to Uzbekistan (trade proxy for Turkish delight)?Using HS 170490 sugar confectionery as a trade proxy, Uzbekistan’s largest suppliers in 2023 were the Russian Federation, Ukraine, Turkey, Kazakhstan, and China.
What documents are typically needed for customs clearance of imported confectionery into Uzbekistan?Core customs documentation includes a customs cargo declaration plus transportation/shipping documents and an invoice. A certificate of origin may be required in certain cases or provided where needed for treaty-based treatment. Depending on the product’s regulatory pathway, importers may also need a sanitary-epidemiological conclusion and, where applicable, a certificate of conformity.
Is Halal labeling required for Turkish delight sold in Uzbekistan?Halal labeling is not universally required for confectionery, but Uzbekistan approved a Halal certification procedure and, from May 1, 2025, allows products and services certified under that framework (with SMIIC-aligned requirements referenced) to carry a Halal sign. In practice, Halal marking tends to be buyer- and channel-driven.
Do Uzbek-language labeling rules still affect imported confectionery?Uzbekistan’s mandatory Uzbek marking requirement for imported goods was reported as abolished in 2024, but Uzbek marking can still matter because issuance of a certificate of conformity and a sanitary-epidemiological conclusion for certain imported consumer goods may be restricted if Uzbek marking is not attached, depending on the Cabinet of Ministers list and applicable exceptions.