BIZNES

Uzbek Dried Fruits Break Into Japan’s Top Five Supply Ranks

Analiza

Uzbekistan has recently secured a place among Japan’s five largest prune suppliers and entered the top ten list for raisin exporters. The breakthrough follows a series of phytosanitary approvals that now cover 72 Uzbek agricultural products. In Osaka, officials from the Uzbek embassy met with Kengo Sugie, chief executive of Kurosimo Inc., to discuss expanding the flow of Uzbek dried fruits. The Japanese retailer Kintetsu Department Store has begun offering the items under the “Gift from Silk Road” label, signalling a deeper commercial partnership.

Kontekst i Tło

According to the latest trade figures, bilateral turnover between the two countries rose by 64.1%, reaching roughly $389 million. Kurosimo processes imported black raisins, almonds and walnuts before selling them to Japanese consumers, complying with Japan’s Positive List System for pesticide residues and strict labeling rules. The presence of Uzbek products in a major retail chain is expected to boost demand and encourage further diversification of Uzbekistan’s agricultural export basket. Continued dialogue aims to streamline certification procedures and expand the range of goods eligible for the Japanese market.

Komentarz Redakcji

InfoHub sees the Uzbek‑Japanese fruit pact as a textbook example of how targeted regulatory alignment can open lucrative niches. If the momentum holds, we may witness a rapid upscale of Central Asian produce across East Asian shelves.