Uzbekistan Cherries Hit the Market Early, Demand Remains Strong

According to the introduction, Uzbekistan experienced a winter and early spring suitable for cherry growth, with abnormally high temperatures in late April and early May, significantly accelerating cherry ripening. This year's cherry yield is expected to substantially exceed previous years, though the proportion of large-sized cherries remains relatively low.

Fergana is the earliest cherry-ripening region in Uzbekistan, with Tashkent and Samarkand regions now also beginning harvesting. Yorqin Inamov, head of Fergana EximAgro LLC, reports that mid-ripeness cherries are currently being harvested, and due to limited export-quality large-sized cherries, purchase prices have reached $4.7 per kilogram. The most popular export sizes are 20-26mm, with prices ranging from $3.2 to $4.2 per kilogram depending on size and quality.

Uzbekistan ranks among the top ten cherry exporters globally, with annual export volumes between 30,000-60,000 tons. In 2024, export volume is projected at 32,200 tons, with an export value of $70.3 million. Uzbek cherries were added to the imported fruit access list in 2017, with Beijing and other locations first completing imports in 2018. Due to Uzbekistan's relative proximity to Xinjiang, local importers have conducted multiple on-site inspections. Since June 2020, Uzbek cherries first entered through the Horgos highway port in Xinjiang, and last June first entered through the Alashankou port, further opening the Xinjiang consumer market.