In 2024, Egypt continued to consolidate its presence in the market for imported strawberries from Kazakhstan, building on the momentum of the previous two marketing years. At the same time, Morocco became the main direct supplier of fresh blueberries to Uzbekistan. According to  Eastfruit These two North African countries are now at the forefront of meeting the growing demand for berries in Central Asia, driven by strong economic growth and rapid market development in the region.

“According to the latest  IMF World Economic Outlook , Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan recorded GDP growth rates of approximately 5% and 6,5%, respectively, in 2023-2024,” he stated.  Yevhen Kuzin, horticulture market analyst at EastFruit.

This makes them attractive destinations for exporters seeking alternatives to more traditional markets, where economic stagnation and low consumption have become more common. While their import volumes are still below those of larger markets, the growing demand for fresh produce, particularly berries, offers early entrants a competitive advantage with relatively low market saturation.

In the 2024/25 marketing year (July-June), Egypt consolidated its dominance in the Kazakhstani fresh strawberry market. Following its ambitious entry in the 2022/23 marketing year, Egypt quickly became the main supplier. Between July 2024 and April 2025, Kazakhstan imported 1500 tonnes of fresh strawberries from Egypt, representing a 7% increase year-on-year and more than five times the volume recorded in the 2022/23 marketing year.

It's worth noting that Egypt has been gradually displacing Turkey in this market, despite its geographical proximity. Turkish strawberries didn't begin arriving in Kazakhstan until April 2025, likely due to climate-related production difficulties.

According to  Turkish Statistical Institute , strawberry production in Turkey is projected to decline by 4% in 2025. This is reflected in price monitoring data from EastFruit, which shows that average Turkish strawberry prices in local wholesale markets between January and May 2025 were 40% higher year-on-year, even amid a depreciation of the Turkish lira.

Uzbekistan, for its part, imported a record 310 tons of fresh blueberries in 2024, with nearly all supplier countries expanding their market share. While Kazakhstan remained the largest global supplier, primarily through re-exports due to limited domestic production, Morocco became the leading direct exporter to Uzbekistan. Moroccan blueberries continued to arrive during the first two months of 2025, further fueling the country's growing interest in imported berries.

“Actual blueberry consumption in Uzbekistan is likely higher than official figures suggest, as some imports go unrecorded,” noted Yevhen Kuzin. “However, official data already point to a strong upward trend. With Uzbekistan’s economy projected to grow at an average annual rate of 5,8% through 2030, well above the global average of 3,0%,  Demand for imported berries and other fruits is expected to increase significantly ".

This growing momentum is also supported by international initiatives. Central Asia has been identified as a high-potential export destination for Egyptian and Moroccan fruits and vegetables within the framework of a joint FAO and EBRD project, which aims to diversify export markets for both supplier countries. A key milestone in this effort was the trade mission to Tashkent in May 2024, which played a pivotal role in strengthening the presence of Egyptian and Moroccan products in the region and further consolidating their strategic positions in these emerging markets.

Participate in the International Blueberry Seminars most important, and be part of the World Blueberry Tour!

To participate and learn more details about the XXXVIII Morocco Seminar 2025 enter the following link: XXXVIII International Seminar on Red Fruits

To purchase tickets click HERE