For the IFC, J.E. Austin Associates assessed Uzbekistan’s  Horticulture value chains, using IFC’s newly developed Country Private Sector Diagnostic (CPSD).  Using the CPSD, JAA identified and analyzed key sub-sectors within Uzbekistan’s horticultural sector that were likely to provide opportunities for private investment within a 3-5-year time frame. JAA then outlined a plan of engagements for future advisory and investment interventions in these sub-sectors that would make advantage of high export competitiveness potential. JAA’s study supported further programming decisions by the World Bank to assess the viability of these interventions going forward.

JAA developed an in-depth understanding of key factors that influence the horticultural value chain, including production systems and costs, profitability, key binding constraints, and described potential interventions to overcome these inhibitors to allow Uzbek horticulture to increase its global competitiveness. At the macro level, JAA analyzed recent trends and forecasted future trends related to production and consumption of selected products, using strategic analysis and quantitative benchmarking of the sector regionally and globally. At the sector level, analysis examined the value chain dynamics, governance structures, and specific determinants of the sectoral performance. At the firm level, JAA analyzed all points of the value chain that are competitive and poised for rapid growth and expansion to serve as anchors to strengthen the product value chain and help create competitive markets. This included key informant interviews (KIIs) with 17 firms involved in production, processing and supply input.  

JAA’s comprehensive research identified four crops (apricot, walnut, raisin and cherry) and their markets as target likely focus, due to their high potential as competitive export crops, and with the view of using insights gained to benefit the broader horticultural sector. JAA’s highly practical report targeted policy makers as well as private sector firms and potential investors.

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Duration: 2018