Uzbekistan has approved imports of hazelnuts, almonds, and citrus products from Georgia following a phytosanitary risk analysis.

The decision was announced during an online meeting between Jamshid Urunov, deputy chairman of Uzbekistan’s Food Safety Committee for plant protection and quarantine, and Zurab Lipartia, deputy head of Georgia’s National Food Agency.

The parties discussed phytosanitary cooperation, agricultural trade, and requirements for imported products. The Georgian side expressed interest in supplying apples, citrus fruits, peaches, nectarines, blueberries, hazelnuts, almonds, and other agricultural products to Uzbekistan.

Following a phytosanitary risk analysis by specialists from the Uzbek committee, Georgia was authorised to export hazelnuts, almonds, and citrus products to the Uzbek market.

Market access for other Georgian products will be assessed separately. Once Georgia provides the required technical information, Uzbek specialists will conduct phytosanitary risk analyses for apples, peaches, nectarines, and blueberries. Import requirements will then be determined based on the results.

Georgia also indicated that it was prepared to arrange a joint inspection involving Uzbek specialists. The planned work would include inspections of agricultural production sites and facilities involved in preparing products for export.

The inspections would assess the phytosanitary status of products, production and storage processes, the presence or absence of quarantine organisms, and compliance with phytosanitary requirements.

Uzbekistan said it is working under existing procedures to create market access opportunities for additional agricultural products.

Meanwhile, agricultural products from Uzbekistan can continue to enter the Georgian market provided they are accompanied by the required phytosanitary certificate.