Russian Payment Delays Hamper Uzbekistan’s Q1 Export Logistics
Export Freight Transport Demand Surges in Uzbekistan in 2025
A recent report by transportation exchange ATI.SU has revealed a significant increase in the demand for export freight transport from Uzbekistan in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the previous year. The number of cargo shipment requests saw a 39% increase, while average freight rates rose by 10%.
The driving force behind this growth was the Russian route, which saw a 34% increase in the number of orders and an 8% increase in average prices. There was also a noticeable uptick in demand for shipments to Belarus.
On the other hand, compared to the fourth quarter of 2024, the number of requests decreased by 30% and prices fell by 15%. Analysts attribute this drop partially to the seasonal downturn following the pre-New Year shipping surge.
Import freight flows, however, showed more stability with a year-on-year increase in demand by 4% and average prices growth of 2%. Yet, compared to Q4 2024, both the number of orders (-13%) and prices (-4%) declined, also due to seasonal trends.
Domestic transport orders witnessed a sharp year-on-year increase of 83%, which analysts link to a growing interest in logistics services and automation tools. However, compared to the October-December period, demand remained relatively unchanged.
Farid Vakhidov, head of ATI.SU’s Uzbekistan office, described the current market situation as a “new equilibrium.” He highlighted persistent payment issues hindering further development of trade with Russian companies, which worsened in 2024.
Nevertheless, Vakhidov emphasized Uzbekistan’s potential to boost exports, citing a 6% growth in industrial production and a 10% increase in foreign trade turnover in the first two months of 2025.
According to ATI.SU data, the volume of export freight shipments from Uzbekistan has been on the rise for three consecutive quarters in 2024. In the October-December period, volumes more than doubled compared to the same quarter in the previous year.
