Browse Data and Analysis

Central Asia is a diverse, important corner of the world and a growing market for U.S. goods. Agricultural imports from the world for Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, and Uzbekistan totaled $11.6 billion in 2023 and have nearly doubled over the last three years, with the United States as the 11th largest trade partner at $196 million.

Uruguayan beef exports in 2025 are forecast to remain unchanged at 475,000 tons carcass weight equivalent (cwe). The final volume will depend on how active Chinese buyers are the remainder of the year and FOB prices. Exports to the United States are projected to remain high.

The global cotton industry is still readjusting to lower post-pandemic demand, and Uzbekistan wasn’t spared the effects of the market overhang. Uzbekistan's strong vertical integration and government support for the industry have helped drive both its resiliency and recovery.

Uruguayan wheat production in marketing year (MY) 2024/2025 is forecast at 1.3 million tons, 260,000 tons lower than the previous crop season which saw record high yields. Wheat exports are projected down at 800,000 tons, 29 percent lower than the previous year.

Post forecasts Uruguay’s marketing year (MY) 2024/25 soybean up to 3.4 million metric tons (MMT) on increased soy acreage planting, driven by increased acreage in second or late crop soy due to producers fears of another dry year of La Niña weather pattern and potential disease threat to corn, preferring soy over corn.

Uzbekistan’s cotton production in marketing year (MY) 2023/24 is estimated at 621,000 metric tons (MT) (2.85 million bales). Cotton consumption in MY 2023/24 is forecast lower year-to-year at 599,000 MT (2.75 million bales) due to lower demand from importer countries like Turkiye and Russia for cotton yarn and fabric.

Uruguayan beef exports in 2024 are forecast slightly up at 467,000 tons carcass weight equivalent as a result of a projected larger beef output with a marginal increase in the domestic demand.

Uzbekistan’s cotton production in marketing year (MY) 2023/24 is forecast unchanged from the previous year at 675,000 metric tons (MT) (3.10 million bales).

Post estimates marketing year (MY) 2022/2024 soybean production at 875,000 metric tons (MT), the lowest level in sixteen years due to a historic drought affecting Uruguay and neighboring Argentina. As a result, Post reduces MY 2022/23 exports to 850,000 MT.

Wheat production in marketing year (MY) 2023-2024 is forecast to remain flat at 1.2 million metric tons. Production will remain flat despite a larger harvested area as Post projects a return to trend from high yields in the previous season.

The marketing year (MY) 2022/23 total cotton production area for Uzbekistan is forecast as 980,000 hectares (ha) and the cotton production is estimated as 675,000 metric tons (MT) (3.10 million bales). Post forecasts MY 2022/23 consumption of cotton to be about 653,000 MT (3 million bales) for MY 2022/23.

The Uruguayan beef and cattle industry is in very good economic condition. Strong foreign demand and very high export prices are benefiting all parts of the value chain with cow-calf and cattle finishing operations seeing strong, positive returns. 2023 cattle slaughter is projected at 2.56 million head, the third year in a row with high numbers.