Why is this important
The rising demand for healthy food products makes the sugar substitutes market promising. State support will decrease import reliance and foster new sectors within the food industry.
What happened
- The Decree was signed on 19 August.
- The Cabinet of Ministers has been tasked with presenting a draft resolution on localising production by November.
Support for manufacturers is supplied via:
- grants and innovative programmes,
- preferential loans,
- return of excise duty on the export of beverages with sweeteners;
- In August, discussions took place with China’s Xinjiang Huijia Biotechnology regarding projects to cultivate stevia—a raw material for natural sugar substitutes.
What they say
Experts believe that the start of production will enable Uzbekistan to establish a position in the healthy nutrition sector and partially substitute imported goods.
Context
The global sugar substitute market might surpass $28 billion by 2030. In Uzbekistan, demand is driven not only by consumers but also by producers of beverages and confectionery products keen on reducing costs and increasing exports.
