Water scarcity and costly imports threaten food security in landlocked countries
As one of only two doubly landlocked countries globally, Uzbekistan faces unique water and food security challenges.
Nearly half of the population in the 32 landlocked developing nations struggle to afford a nutritious diet, with one in six facing hunger, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). These countries, home to 600 million people, encounter difficulties in securing food supplies and reaching global markets. Their reliance on transport routes through neighboring nations adds to the expenses for farmers, businesses, and consumers.
A 2025 UN study revealed that logistics costs for importing goods are 75% higher in landlocked developing countries compared to transit developing countries, which are coastal nations through which exports pass. For exports, the disparity is 63%. This information guided discussions at the Global Technical Forum on Food Security, organized by the FAO and Uzbekistan's Ministry of Agriculture in Tashkent at the start of October.
Geography's impact extends beyond shipping costs for agricultural products. When goods must traverse additional borders or travel greater distances, food imports, fertilizers, and fuel can become more expensive. The poorest countries, which predominantly import food, are the most vulnerable as their food import costs rise.
FAO's chief economist, Máximo Torero, spoke to Euronews about these challenges. He also highlighted climate change and population growth as long-term threats to food production. Torero cited disruptions to the Black Sea, the Strait of Hormuz, and drought restrictions on shipping through the Panama Canal as examples of risks to international agricultural trade.
Uzbekistan, one of two doubly landlocked countries globally, has a 19% GDP contribution from agriculture, forestry, and fisheries. Despite its geographical limitations, the country has managed to keep undernourishment below 3% over the past decade, compared to around 20% in 2000. However, Uzbekistan still needs to import 4.2 million tonnes of wheat for the 2026-2027 marketing year, even with a forecasted above-average cereal harvest of 9 million tonnes.
Uzbekistan's Agriculture Minister, Ibrokhim Abdurakhmonov, emphasized that while domestic agricultural output is crucial, it does not eliminate the need for reliable cross-border trade. He called for collaboration to address common challenges, particularly water management and agricultural innovation. The FAO's cooperation program with Uzbekistan focuses on digital agriculture, biodiversity, and natural resource management.
However, he stressed that increasing production alone does not guarantee access to nutritious food, as processing, transport, and distribution costs influence consumer prices. Social protection, education, healthcare, and equal opportunities are essential components of addressing food security comprehensively.
Written by urgent.news from Euronews's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
