This year, 400 billion soums will be allocated from the Agriculture Fund for the development of potato growing. Starting from 2027, the country will fully cover its potato needs at the expense of domestic resources. This issue was discussed at a meeting with the participation of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
A new system for growing profitable crops on household lands and leased plots was presented at the event, the press service of the head of state reports. Potatoes remain one of the most popular products in the republic, but their cultivation on 290 thousand hectares does not yet allow us to completely abandon imports. The main reasons are insufficient quality of varieties and average yield.
The President instructed the Potato Research Institute to develop high-yielding varieties adapted to local climatic conditions, as well as to prepare and distribute 3 million tubers using the in-vitro method.
To support the industry, imported seed potatoes will be exempt from customs duties for three years, and when selling imported and local seed potatoes, 50% VAT will be refunded in the form of cashback. In addition, it is planned to provide farmers with the necessary equipment for growing and processing products, as well as providing convenient leasing programs.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Uzbekistan's annual demand for potatoes is 4 million tons. In 2024, 3.7 million tons were produced, of which 2.7 million tons were collected from the main fields, and 1 million tons-as a repeat crop. About 600 thousand tons are reserved as seed stock for the next season, and natural losses amounted to about 100 thousand tons (3%).
Earlier, the Statistics Agency reported that in 2024, Uzbekistan imported 703 thousand tons of potatoes, 75% of which came from Kazakhstan. However, in January 2025, Kazakhstan introduced a six-month ban on potato exports. The Ministry of Agriculture assured that the country has a sufficient supply of products.
