Trade between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan exceeded $2 billion in the first eight months of 2026, according to Uzbek exporters’ association officials, highlighting a sharp increase in economic ties between the two countries in recent years.
As reported by IRAF, officials from Uzbekistan’s Exporters Association announced the figures at a joint economic meeting in Balkh, saying bilateral trade had recorded substantial growth in recent years.
Trade between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan, valued at around $800 million in 2024, rose to $1.85 billion in 2025 and surpassed $2 billion in the first eight months of 2026, according to the officials.
The figures are also consistent with data previously released by Uzbekistan’s National Statistics Committee, which reported that bilateral trade reached $915.8 million in the first five months of 2026.
Afghanistan Among Uzbekistan’s Top Trading Partners
Official data show that Afghanistan ranked among Uzbekistan’s five largest trading partners in 2026, maintaining a position it had also held in 2025, when bilateral trade was reported at between $1.6 billion and $1.7 billion.
Trade remains heavily weighted in Uzbekistan’s favour, with Uzbek exports accounting for more than 90% of bilateral exchanges.
Uzbekistan’s main exports to Afghanistan include food products, petroleum products, construction materials, industrial goods and chemicals.
Balkh Highlights Importance of Trade Growth
Officials from the Balkh Chamber of Commerce and Investment said at the meeting that expanding trade with Uzbekistan was vital to securing supplies of essential goods, controlling prices and preventing hoarding in Afghan markets.
They said increased imports through Uzbekistan had partly offset the impact of border closures with Pakistan, making northern trade routes increasingly important sources of supplies for Afghanistan.
New Agreements and Areas of Cooperation
In recent months, joint meetings between business representatives from the two countries have been held in Kabul, Balkh and Uzbekistan’s Qashqadaryo region, resulting in the signing of dozens of new trade agreements.
More than 90 contracts and memorandums of understanding, worth a combined $1.4 billion, were signed between the Afghan and Uzbek private sectors in 2026, according to the report.
The agreements primarily cover food products, clothing, construction, energy, electronics and furniture.
Economic analysts say growing trade with Uzbekistan reflects a broader shift in Afghanistan’s trade patterns towards Central Asia, a trend that has accelerated amid border tensions with Pakistan.
Joint infrastructure projects, including the Termez–Hairatan railway, energy transmission lines and customs facilitation measures, have also played an important role in supporting the expansion of trade.
The two countries have set a target of increasing annual bilateral trade to $5 billion in the coming years.
