Raisins

Raisins matter to Uzbekistan’s regional economy because they connect grape farming with processing and international trade. Grapes are grown across the country, but production is especially important in regions such as Samarkand, Bukhara, Fergana, and Namangan. Turning some of these grapes into raisins extends their shelf life and makes them easier to store and export over long distances. This creates income not only for farmers, but also for workers involved in drying, sorting, packaging, and transportation. Uzbekistan also sells raisins to several major markets, including China, Turkey, Russia, Kazakhstan, and the United Arab Emirates. However, the large changes in export quantity and price from year to year show that the sector is still vulnerable to changing demand, harvest conditions, and access to foreign markets.