Uzbek viticulture uptakes exporting

Uzbekistan approves a Program to Further Streamline and Develop Viticulture for 2013-2015.

The document states that by 2015 the vineyard area in the country will reach 149,700 hectares and will annually yield more than 1.4 million tons of grapes. A range of measures will be taken in Uzbekistan to meet this goal.

32 new nursery plantations specializing in the production of seedlings of promising high-yielding varieties of grapes will be established in the regions in the next two years.

Moreover, in 2013-2015, at least 80% of the capital of the Fund for Reconstruction and Development of HC Uzvinosanoat-Holding will be forwarded to building of new intensive vineyards.

Domestic banks will provide the vine-growing farms with long-term loans and leasing services for the acquisition of the planting stock, special agricultural machinery and espalier at interest rates not exceeding the refinancing rate of the Central Bank. It is appropriate to note that the imported seedlings and rootstocks of promising high-yielding varieties of grapes are exempt from customs duties by January 1, 2016.

Particular attention will be paid to strengthening the scientific base of viticulture and improvement of breeding. Thus, it is projected to establish the viticulture breeding center under the Samarqand branch of Meva-Sharbat production enterprise, which will also deal with the establishment of cooperation on viticulture with leading research institutions of CIS, China, USA, France, Italy and other countries. In addition, the specialists will create a genetic bank of the grapes grown on the territory of Uzbekistan.

A big part of the work will focus on increasing the export potential of wine-nurturing farms. Core ministries and agencies will assist agricultural companies, farmers and processors in certification of export products, as well as establishment of trading houses in big cities of the CIS and far abroad. With this purpose it is planned to organize a special research of the needs of foreign markets for grape production and quality standards adopted in potential importing countries. (Source: Uzbekistan today newspaper)/