BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 2. Uzbekistan imported
goods and services worth $16.4 billion during January-April
2026.
This was reflected in the statement published by the National
Statistics Committee.
Machinery and transport equipment remained the largest import
category, totaling $5.5 billion, up 29.1% compared to the same
period last year. The category accounted for roughly one-third of
the country's total imports, reflecting continued investment in
industrial modernization and infrastructure development.
Industrial goods ranked second, with imports reaching $2.5
billion, an increase of 17.1% year-on-year. Imports of chemicals
and related products totaled $2 billion, up 22.6%.
Food products and live animals recorded one of the fastest
growth rates among major import categories, rising 47.2% to $1.9
billion during the reporting period.
Imports of services amounted to $1.6 billion, while mineral
fuels, lubricants and related materials reached $1.4 billion,
representing increases of 15.5% and 25.8%, respectively.
Meanwhile, imports of miscellaneous manufactured goods grew
34.6% to $585.7 million, while non-food raw materials excluding
fuels rose 34.5% to $464.8 million.
Imports of animal and vegetable oils, fats and waxes increased
37.3% to $217.7 million, while beverages and tobacco products
totaled $100.5 million, up 24.3% year-on-year.
The figures indicate continued growth in domestic demand and
investment activity, with machinery, industrial products and food
imports accounting for the largest share of Uzbekistan's import
basket.
Analysis
"The structure of Uzbekistan's imports suggests that investment
and industrial development remain key drivers of external demand.
Machinery and transport equipment accounted for the largest share
of imports, indicating continued modernization efforts across
manufacturing, energy, transport and infrastructure sectors." the
Trend's analysis
said.
The composition of imports is also reflected in Uzbekistan's
trade relations with major industrial economies. Germany, one of
Uzbekistan's leading economic partners in Europe, exported $359.2
million worth of goods to the country in January-April 2026,
accounting for the majority of bilateral trade turnover. The
figures underscore Uzbekistan's continued demand for foreign
machinery, equipment and industrial technologies needed to support
economic modernization.
The sharp increase in food imports, which rose by more than 47%
year-on-year, may reflect growing consumer demand, population
growth and the need to supplement domestic food supplies. At the
same time, rising imports of chemicals, fuels and industrial goods
point to sustained activity in production-oriented sectors of the
economy.
The broad-based growth across nearly all import categories
suggests that Uzbekistan's economy continues to expand, supported
by investment projects, business activity and household
consumption. While rising imports can contribute to trade
imbalances, they may also signal increasing economic capacity and
demand for equipment and raw materials needed to support future
growth, according to Trend analysis.
