This season, Uzbekistan initiated the export of new-season fresh melons to international markets by mid-May, a week earlier than in previous years. According to EastFruit analysts, the melon export season is now entering an active phase.
Farhod Korabekov, head of Fresh Melon LLC, shed light on current shipment practices: "Starting around May 10–15, farmers in the Surkhandarya and Kashkadarya regions began harvesting early melons — specifically the ultra-early hybrid Dakaro F1. In these regions, the melons are grown in unheated plastic hoop tunnels. This variety is well-suited for export due to its good transportability and ideal size range of 1.5 to 2.5 kg."
Initial harvesting saw farmers pricing melons from the field at 13,000 UZS/kg ($1.01/kg), excluding transport loading costs. However, by the end of May, wholesale prices nearly halved to 7,200 UZS/kg ($0.56/kg), amid increased early-season supply.
Fresh melons have emerged as a major export item for Uzbekistan's fruit and vegetable sector. Between 2017 and 2019, melon exports ranged from 14.8 thousand tons to 27.4 thousand tons. Since 2020, volumes have grown, with exports between 39.2 thousand and 56.6 thousand tons annually.
In 2024, a record 58 thousand tons of fresh melon were exported, with shipments exceeding 20 tons to 16 different countries, marking expanded export geography and diversified export structure.
Source: EastFruit