In Uzbekistan, the price of melon has dropped threefold in the last week, UPL.uz reported. This was reported by Zamin.uz.
In the first week of July 2025, melon prices sharply decreased. The main reason for this situation is the mass harvesting in the Mirzacho‘l region and the start of the season at low prices in Kazakhstan.
Large batches of melons arrived at wholesale markets in Tashkent at the beginning of June, which occurred approximately a week earlier than last year. At the beginning of the season, the average price of melon was around 6000 soums.
Prices remained stable until the end of June compared to 2024, and even in the second half of June, prices were two to three times higher than last year. However, at the beginning of July, prices dropped to 2000 soums.
According to Farhod Qorabekov, the head of Fresh Melon LLC, the high prices at the beginning of the season are related to several factors. In particular, the area planted with early and mid-season varieties has decreased by 30 percent, and the anomalous weather in the spring in Surxondaryo and Jizzax regions negatively affected the quality of the harvest.
The scarcity of quality products has led to prices being kept stable for a month. At the end of June, mass harvesting began in the Mirzacho‘l region, and the start of the season in Kazakhstan sharply increased market supply and caused prices to drop.
Due to the abundant and quality harvest from Kazakhstan, export competition has intensified. Kazakh exporters are offering melons at prices 15-25 percent lower than the internal market of Uzbekistan based on FCA terms.
As a member of the Eurasian Economic Union, there are no customs duties on exports to Russia and Kyrgyzstan, and the regulations have been simplified. This situation has restricted activities in Uzbekistan's three main export directions, leading to an excess accumulation of products in the internal market and causing prices to drop.
Nevertheless, the limited supply of quality melons and existing domestic demand may create opportunities for prices to stabilize in the near future. Future prices will depend on the volume of the harvest and export opportunities.
Uzbekistan exports approximately 150 thousand tons of melons annually. In 2024, the country delivered melons to more than 20 countries, including Russia, Kazakhstan, and European countries.
