The Uzbekbaliksanoat Association has announced a partnership with South Korea to initiate the first industrial shrimp cultivation project in Uzbekistan, aiming to enhance shrimp production and meet growing market demands.

Establishing a Breeding Center with Hungarian Expertise

In addition to the shrimp cultivation project, Uzbekistan will establish a breeding center in collaboration with Hungarian experts. This center will focus on updating and acclimatizing various fish species, ensuring the sustainability and growth of the aquaculture sector.

Uzbekistan is also making strides in other areas of aquaculture and fish farming. Plans with the Netherlands and Iran include the opening of branches of leading fish feed companies, which will provide high-quality feed necessary for the burgeoning industry. Moreover, a joint project with China aims to restore endangered fish species, showcasing Uzbekistan’s commitment to biodiversity and environmental conservation.

Historical Context of Shrimp Farming Efforts

The current initiative follows previous attempts to introduce shrimp farming in Uzbekistan. Notably, in 2021, a project with the Chinese company Tianjin Kaiteng Investment Group aimed to breed Peking ducks and shrimp in Karakalpakstan. These efforts laid the groundwork for the current, more extensive shrimp cultivation project.

Uzbekistan’s geographical status as one of only two double-landlocked countries (the other being Liechtenstein) presents unique challenges. Surrounded by landlocked nations such as Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan faces increased logistics and trade costs due to its reliance on rail, road, or air transport instead of maritime routes.

The Caspian Sea’s Influence

The classification of the Caspian Sea significantly impacts Uzbekistan’s landlocked status. If the Caspian Sea were considered a sea, Iran and Turkmenistan would not be landlocked, altering Uzbekistan’s status. However, as the Caspian Sea is currently classified as a lake, Uzbekistan remains double-landlocked, affecting its economic and logistical dynamics.

Despite the logistical challenges, Uzbekistan boasts robust industries in cotton, electricity, and mining. Recognizing the importance of diversifying and strengthening the agricultural sector, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced during a meeting on February 12 an initiative to enhance the nation’s livestock and poultry farming capabilities. The government will also increase unsecured loans to UZS 100 million (USD 8,006) to support fish farming, demonstrating strong support for the aquaculture industry.