BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 5. Uzbekistan’s
imports reached $29.6 billion in the period from January through
July 2026, increasing 17.8% year on year, as demand for machinery,
industrial goods, chemicals and food products continued to drive
the country’s import bill.


This was reflected in the report published by the National
Statistics Committee of Uzbekistan.


According to the report, machinery and transport equipment
remained the largest import category at $9.7 billion, accounting
for 32.8% of total imports. Industrial goods followed at $4.4
billion, or 14.8%, while chemicals and related products totaled
$3.6 billion, representing 12.1% of imports.


Food products and live animals amounted to $3.3 billion, with
imports in this category increasing 41.9% year on year. Services
imports reached $3.6 billion during the period.


Trend’s
calculations show that machinery and transport equipment alone
accounted for nearly one-third of Uzbekistan’s total import bill.
The category also increased by about 20% compared with the same
period last year, highlighting continued demand for equipment and
transport assets.


Other categories also recorded notable increases. Imports of
food products rose 41.9%, while chemicals increased 15.6%. Imports
of miscellaneous manufactured goods reached $1.0 billion, up 14.0%
year on year.







In Trend’s
assessment, the structure of imports points to a combination of
investment demand and growing domestic consumption. The dominant
position of machinery and transport equipment suggests that a
significant portion of external demand is linked to industrial
modernization, infrastructure, and expansion of production
capacity. At the same time, the rapid increase in food imports
indicates stronger consumer demand and the need to supplement
domestic supply.


The increase in imports is also contributing to Uzbekistan’s
widening trade deficit. During January-July, exports amounted to
$19.9 billion, meaning imports exceeded exports by approximately
$9.7 billion.


Furthermore, Trend’s analysis shows that the pace and composition
of import growth will be important for Uzbekistan’s external
balance. Imports of machinery and industrial inputs can support
future economic growth if they translate into higher domestic
production and export capacity. However, continued rapid growth in
consumption-related imports could place additional pressure on the
trade balance.


Overall, Uzbekistan’s import growth remains broad-based, with
capital and industrial goods making up the largest part of the
import basket, while food imports are growing particularly quickly.
The challenge for the economy will be to ensure that rising imports
increasingly support productive investment and future export growth
rather than widening external imbalances.