Uzbekistan caught 270.8 thousand tons of fish in nine months

The Agency for Industrial Cooperation and State Procurement reported to journalists that in the first nine months of 2026, state procurement in Uzbekistan amounted to 281.8 trillion sums. Additionally, $42.6 billion in foreign investments was mobilized.

Under the localization program, goods worth 117 trillion sums were produced, 88 new types of products were introduced, and 10,400 jobs were created. The import substitution effect reached $6.2 billion, and the import of 176 types of goods decreased by $838 million.

Of the total foreign investment of $42.6 billion, $18.2 billion, or 43%, was linked to local content. However, local content was not reflected in reports across seven sectors amounting to $965.2 million and 220 projects valued at $2 billion. The agency noted the need to improve the accounting system.

Competitive procurement amounted to 170.4 trillion sums, which allowed for savings of 12.1 trillion sums. Meanwhile, direct procurement decreased by 11.7% to 61.6 trillion sums.

Artificial intelligence now moderates 75% of offers on the electronic trading platform. The Unified Industrial Portal has also been launched in test mode.

By the end of the year, the agency plans to increase the volume of localized production to 130 trillion sums, raise the import substitution effect to $6.4 billion, and introduce 112 new types of products.

Uzbekistan intends to significantly increase fish production volumes, bringing the annual figure to one million tons. To achieve this goal, modern aquaculture enterprises will be established in various regions, and infrastructure for processing and warehouse construction will also be developed.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed the submitted projects concerning the development of fish farming. One such project is the implementation in the Balykchin district, where irrigation wells are planned to be used for fish cultivation.

Specialized complexes are planned to be built around twenty-four wells. These facilities will cover the entire production cycle: from growing fry and preparing the feed base to subsequent processing, storage, and sale of fish. The area of each such complex will be fifty acres, and each facility is expected to produce at least thirty tons of trout annually and create ten jobs.

It is planned that the experience gained will be scaled up to other territories of the country. By March 1, 2027, state bodies will inspect more than four thousand irrigation wells across the country. Facilities deemed suitable for fish farming will be transferred to private entrepreneurs based on public-private partnerships.

Additionally, initiatives are being considered for cultivating and processing cold-water fish in Khanabad, as well as developing fish farms on the reservoirs of Ulugnor. To effectively coordinate all new projects, it is proposed to establish a specialized fisheries holding.

The state commits to providing financial support for these projects and covering the costs of training local residents in modern fish breeding methods. Previously, the creation of a Fish Farming Development Center was announced, which will oversee the industry, allowing fish farms to pre-approve water usage limits for the season.