Uzbekistan Footwear Overseas Market Analysis Report

Uzbekistan Footwear Core Conclusions

Uzbekistan's footwear market is highly dependent on imports (import dependence approx. 72%), with China firmly established as the top supplier, accounting for around 62% of imports. Local production capacity is expanding rapidly, but mid-to-high-end products still rely on external supply.

In 2024, Uzbekistan's footwear imports totaled approx. USD 380 million, up about 9% year-on-year
China accounted for 62% of Uzbekistan's total footwear imports, Turkiye 14%, and Russia 8%
Natural rubber prices fluctuated between 13,500-15,800 CNY/ton in Q1 2025, keeping cost-side pressure manageable
Uzbekistan's GDP grew by approx. 5.5% in 2024, with household consumption steadily increasing

⚠ Key Risk: The Uzbek Som (UZS) continues to depreciate moderately against the USD, with a depreciation of approx. 6% in 2024. Import cost fluctuations require ongoing attention.

Sources: State Statistics Committee of Uzbekistan, General Administration of Customs of China, SunSirs; data as of Q1 2025

Supply & Demand Fundamentals

Uzbekistan's annual footwear consumption is approx. 180-200 million pairs, with local production around 50-55 million pairs. The gap is filled by imports. The consumption mix is dominated by casual shoes and leather shoes, with demand for sports shoes growing fastest.

Indicator	2023	2024E	Change
Local Production (10k pairs)	4,800	5,200	↑8.3%
Import Volume (10k pairs)	12,500	13,400	↑7.2%
Export Volume (10k pairs)	1,100	1,250	↑13.6%
Apparent Consumption (10k pairs)	16,200	17,350	↑7.1%

Sources: State Statistics Committee of Uzbekistan, UN Comtrade; 2024 figures are estimated based on first 11 months

China Market Overview

China's footwear exports remained resilient in 2024, with Central Asia leading growth rates. Domestic shoe material prices were stable, with ample supply of PVC and EVA. Capacity utilization remained high.

China's total footwear exports in 2024 were approx. USD 51 billion, with exports to five Central Asian countries up about 15%
Domestic shoe-grade PVC (SG-5) prices were approx. 5,800-6,300 CNY/ton in Q1 2025, near three-year lows
Average operating rate for Chinese shoe enterprises was about 78%, with ample orders in Fujian and Guangdong production hubs
China's footwear exports to Uzbekistan reached approx. USD 235 million in 2024, up about 11% year-on-year

Sources: General Administration of Customs of China, SCI99, SunSirs; data as of March 2025

Uzbekistan Market Overview

Uzbekistan's footwear retail market is dominated by low-to-mid-priced products (unit price USD 8-25). Major cities like Tashkent and Samarkand exhibit clear consumption upgrades, driving demand for branded sports shoes and mid-range leather shoes.

Local average retail price of footwear is approx. USD 12-18/pair, with imported products at a 30-50% premium
Top import sources: China 62%, Turkiye 14%, Russia 8%, Kazakhstan 5%
Tashkent market accounts for about 38% of national footwear consumption, the largest single-city market in Central Asia
There are approx. 210 local footwear manufacturing enterprises, but fewer than 30 are above designated size

Sources: State Statistics Committee of Uzbekistan, local industry research reports; data as of December 2024

Product Segmentation

Uzbekistan's footwear imports are dominated by rubber/plastic sole footwear (HS 6402) and leather upper footwear (HS 6403), together accounting for 68% of import volume. The sports shoe category is growing fastest, with an annual increase exceeding 18%.

Subcategory	HS Code	Import Share	Demand Trend
Rubber/Plastic Sole Footwear	6402	38%	↑ Steady growth
Leather Upper Footwear	6403	30%	→ Stable
Textile Upper Footwear	6404	22%	↑ Rapid growth
Other Footwear	6405	10%	→ Stable

Sources: UN Comtrade, Uzbekistan Customs data; data as of November 2024

Core Finished Product Supply & Demand

Uzbekistan's local footwear enterprises primarily produce low-to-mid-range leather shoes and fabric shoes, with an annual output of about 52 million pairs. Mid-to-high-end sports shoes and branded leather shoes are almost entirely dependent on imports, with a supply-demand gap of approx. 120 million pairs per year.

Local output: approx. 18 million pairs of leather shoes, 24 million pairs of fabric shoes/slippers, and 10 million pairs of others
Import share of sports shoes rose from 18% in 2020 to 27% in 2024
Average capacity utilization of local shoe enterprises is approx. 62%, constrained by raw material imports and skilled worker shortages
In 2024, Uzbekistan exported 12.5 million pairs of footwear, mainly to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan

Sources: Uzbekistan Leather & Footwear Association, local industry statistics; data as of December 2024

Intermediate Goods & Raw Material Values

Core raw materials for footwear production include natural rubber, PVC/EVA granules, leather, and textile fabrics. Pricing in Chinese production hubs is competitive, with CIF prices in Uzbekistan 8-15% higher than in China.

Raw Material	China Ex-works Price	Uzbekistan CIF (Est.)	Price Gap
Natural Rubber	14,200 CNY/ton	1,980 USD/ton	~ +10%
PVC (SG-5)	6,050 CNY/ton	870 USD/ton	~ +12%
EVA Granules	12,800 CNY/ton	1,850 USD/ton	~ +14%

Sources: SunSirs, SCI99; Uzbekistan CIF prices are estimates based on logistics costs; data as of March 2025

Trade & Macroeconomic Indicators

Uzbekistan's macroeconomy is growing steadily, with GDP growth of approx. 5.5% in 2024 and per capita GDP surpassing USD 2,800. China-Uzbekistan bilateral trade continues to expand, and footwear as consumer goods benefits from consumption upgrades.

Uzbekistan's GDP in 2024 was approx. USD 108 billion, with growth of 5.5% (World Bank)
Per capita GDP was approx. USD 2,820, ranking third in Central Asia
China-Uzbekistan bilateral trade in 2024 reached approx. USD 14 billion, with China as the largest trading partner
USD/UZS exchange rate was approx. 1:12,850 (March 2025), with average annual depreciation of about 6%
Import tariff on footwear in Uzbekistan is 5-10%, with preferential rates for certain categories

Sources: World Bank, IMF, Central Bank of Uzbekistan, General Administration of Customs of China; data as of March 2025

Risks & Opportunity Windows

Uzbekistan is advancing its local footwear revitalization plan, offering tax incentives to foreign-invested footwear enterprises. However, depreciation of the Som, high logistics costs, and a shortage of local skilled workers constitute major risks. Chinese footwear enterprises may consider an asset-light brand export model.

Opportunity Uzbekistan launched a "Local Footwear Support Program" in 2025, offering a 5-year tax holiday for joint-venture shoe enterprises
Opportunity The China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway is advancing; future logistics lead time could shorten to 10-12 days (currently about 18-25 days)
Supply chain risk: cross-border land transport costs account for about 8-12% of total value, with restrictions in winter

⚠ FX Risk: The Som depreciates 6-8% annually. It is recommended to use USD-denominated contracts or hedging instruments to manage exchange losses.

Sources: Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade of Uzbekistan, local industry policy documents; data as of February 2025