The decree requires imported palm oil and related products, including milk and dairy, to undergo testing at accredited laboratories when sanitary and epidemiological certifications are issued.
The testing will be conducted in accordance with existing technical regulations and standards.
Furthermore, there will be increased scrutiny on the use of palm oil in food production within Uzbekistan. Supervisory bodies will carry out inspections at facilities involved in the production, transportation, storage, and sale of food products.
Palm oil imports to Uzbekistan
Davron Vakhobov, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, mentioned during a meeting with the president on December 10, 2024, that in 2022, confectionery manufacturers requested the removal of import duties on palm and coconut oils from Indonesia and Malaysia, as well as other raw materials not produced locally in Uzbekistan.
At the time, the president approved these exemptions, which expired on January 1. To continue supporting local manufacturers, Shavkat Mirziyoyev approved a proposal to extend the exemptions for another two years, as reported by Vakhobov.
Palm oil imports to Uzbekistan began in the 2000s, with initial shipments totaling around 5,000 tons. Between 2016 and 2018, annual imports averaged about 50,000 tons, and in January-May 2019, the figure reached 31,000 tons.
However, recent figures show a decline. According to the Customs Committee, last year, palm oil imports fell by nearly 40% year-on-year, from 39,700 tons to 24,200 tons, while the value of these imports dropped to $27 million (-46%). Sunflower oil imports also decreased by 3.5%, amounting to 294,100 tons, with a total value of $265.2 million.
Health risks of palm oil
The national movement "Yuksalish," citing the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), has highlighted the potential dangers of palm oil. Palm oil, which is produced through hydrogenation (a process that converts liquid fats into solids by adding hydrogen), is the cheapest form of fat but contains no beneficial nutrients. When refined at high temperatures, it forms harmful substances.
Palm oil contains up to 45% palmitic acid. Consuming this substance in large quantities can lead to the buildup of fatty plaques in blood vessels, contributing to the development of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a known risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.
Because of its low cost, palm oil is commonly used in products like ice cream, confectionery, butter, and various other food items.
