KABUL: Afghanistan has emerged as Uzbekistan’s third-largest export market during the first six months of 2026, with Uzbek exports to Afghanistan reaching $961.5 million, according to the latest data from Uzbekistan’s National Statistics Committee.
Russia ranked first, receiving around $2.4 billion in Uzbek exports, followed by China with approximately $1.4 billion. Afghanistan ranked third, ahead of Kazakhstan, France and Turkey.
Uzbekistan’s exports to Kazakhstan stood at about $717 million, while exports to France reached $707.2 million and those to Turkey totaled $516.2 million during the same period.
The latest figures point to a significant expansion in Afghanistan’s role in Uzbekistan’s foreign trade. The trend was already evident during the first five months of 2026, when Uzbek exports to Afghanistan reached $817.8 million, also placing Afghanistan third among Uzbekistan’s export destinations.
The additional increase during the sixth month brought total exports to $961.5 million, further strengthening Afghanistan’s position as a major regional market for Uzbek goods.
Trade between the two countries has also continued to expand, during the first two months of 2026, bilateral trade reached $298.4 million, up 8.2 percent from $275.9 million recorded during the same period in 2025.
The growth comes as Kabul and Tashkent have stepped up efforts to expand economic cooperation, increase bilateral trade and develop transit links.
Afghanistan’s strategic location could offer Uzbekistan more than simply a consumer market. Its position provides a potential gateway to South Asian markets, making deeper economic ties between the two countries increasingly important for regional trade and connectivity.
The rising export figures therefore reflect not only stronger commercial ties but also the growing potential for trade, transit and investment cooperation between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan.