THE IMPACT OF COLD CHAIN LOGISTICS ON HORTICULTURAL EXPORT PERFORMANCE IN UZBEKISTAN

Abstract

Major import markets for horticultural products include Russia, Kazakhstan, China, the European Union, and the United Arab Emirates, making horticulture a key export sector for developing economies such as Uzbekistan. This study aims to assess the impact of cold chain logistics on the performance of horticultural exports in Uzbekistan.The study focuses on three main objectives: evaluating the effect of cold chain logistics costs on export performance, analyzing the role of technology in refrigerated storage and transport systems, and examining how the geographic distribution of cold storage facilities influences export efficiency.

The research is based on systems theory and resource-based theory and adopts a mixed-method approach. It uses secondary data from 2020–2025, including reports from the Ministry of Agriculture of Uzbekistan, the State Statistics Committee, FAO, and the World Bank. Data analysis is conducted using descriptive and comparative methods.The findings indicate that cold chain logistics significantly affects horticultural export performance in Uzbekistan. Investment in cold storage and refrigerated transport reduces post-harvest losses and improves product quality. Additionally, the use of modern logistics technologies enhances supply chain efficiency, while the uneven distribution of cold storage facilities limits market access for some producers.

Overall, strengthening cold chain logistics infrastructure is essential for improving Uzbekistan’s competitiveness in international horticultural markets by increasing efficiency, reducing losses, and supporting export growth.