Uzbek melons expand to new horizons

Uzbek melons can from now on be bought in British markets. Some 20 tonnes of melons of the “Torpeda” variety grown in Uzbekistan were delivered to New Spitalfields Market, London, Dunyo news agency reported on October 15. Located on an area of 13 hectares, New Spitalfields is the largest wholesale market for agricultural products not only in Britain, but in Europe.

Recent years have seen a spike in global demand for Uzbekistan's agricultural products. The delivery of Uzbek melons to the British market is a result of an agreement between Jahon Exim and British entrepreneurs.

"Melons grown in Uzbekistan are now exported to the UK. We hope that British consumers will enjoy Uzbek melons, which are famous for their taste. Our company is trying to increase the types of products supplied to Britain. In particular, we plan to expand the export of organic, dried, and frozen fruits and vegetables," said Jahongir Giyosov, director of Jahon Exim Group.

With the support of the Embassy of Uzbekistan in London, work is underway to increase the volume of exports of agricultural products from Uzbekistan to the British market.

Negotiations have recently been initiated between the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the Plant Quarantine Inspectorate under the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan.

During talks held in August this year, the British side reported on the availability of opportunities for Uzbekistan to provide England with such products as pomegranates, cherries, plums, nectarines, apricots, persimmons, apples, pears, grapes, lemon, bitter pepper and tomatoes.

In September, the first batch of dried fruits made in Uzbekistan was sold on the wholesale market of London, "Western International Market", under an agreement concluded between the company Garden Cells of the Samarkand region and the British company Vita Plus Ltd.

The global turnover of melons in 2018 amounted to $27.4bn. In 1H, 2020, Uzbekistan exported some 342 tonnes of melons. The largest importer was Russia.