Uzbekistan will require mandatory laboratory testing of palm oil and products containing palm oil and trans fats. This requirement is outlined in a president’s decree issued on 30 January.
Starting 1 March, obtaining sanitary-epidemiological certificates for the import of palm oil and products containing palm oil and trans fatty acids, including milk and dairy products, will depend on mandatory testing in accredited laboratories.
Inspections will be conducted according to existing technical regulations and standards.
Additionally, there will be an increased focus on controlling the use of palm oil in domestic food products. Regulatory bodies will conduct checks at businesses involved in the production, transportation, storage and sale of food products.
Palm oil imports to Uzbekistan
Chairperson of the Commerce and Industry Chamber Davron Vakhabov last Deccember said that confectionery manufacturers in 2022 requested the removal of duties on imported palm oil and coconut oil from Indonesia and Malaysia, as well as other raw materials not produced in Uzbekistan. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev then approved granting of these benefits, which expired on 1 January. To support manufacturers, the president approved the extension of these benefits for another two years.
Palm oil imports to Uzbekistan began in the 2000s, with initial shipments totaling around 5,000 tons. From 2016 to 2018, imports averaged around 50,000 tons annually, and in the period from January to May 2019, the volume reached 31,000 tons. However, current figures are lower. According to the Customs Committee, the imports decreased by nearly 40% in the past year, from 39,700 tons to 24,200 tons, while the value of imports dropped to $27 million (a 46% decrease). The import of sunflower oil also fell by 3.5%, reaching 294,100 tons, with a total value of $265.2 million.
Palm oil — commonly found in products like ice cream, confectionery and butter — contains up to 45% palmitic acid, which, when consumed in large quantities, can contribute to heart disease.
