Uzbekistanʼs restaurant sector has seen remarkable growth in recent years, leading to an expansion of European and Western cuisines. Naturally, the demand for types of products not traditionally used in Uzbek cuisine has also been increasing. Shrimp, for instance, serves as an example in our context. This high-protein and mineral-rich product, which serves as an import substitute, is cultivated in the Qarshi Innovative District.

Market data reveals Uzbekistan currently imports 133.8 tons of shrimp annually, valued at 794,600 USD. In the domestic market, the average price per kilogram of shrimp ranges between 19 and 22 USD.

In 2023, the Agency for Innovative Development supported Shrimp Factory-2022 LLC in launching a Vannamei shrimp farming technology project, enabling domestic production. The company now produces 7,000 kg of shrimp per year, supplying the local market at an average price of 180,000 UZS per kilogram.

According to the head of the enterprise, Dilmurod Yuldashev, expanding shrimp farming in Uzbekistan will reduce production costs, making the product more affordable for local consumers and meeting the growing demand for protein-rich food.

The project is based on Iranian technology, utilizing pond depths of 1–1.5 meters, with water inlets and outlets enriched with aquatic plants and substrates. Importantly, the system operates with minimal water consumption.

Since its launch, the project has created six new jobs, and over 2,130 kg of shrimp has been delivered to customers. Looking ahead, the company is now collaborating with Iranian specialists to scale production to 10,000 kg of shrimp, with a 1.9 billion UZS investment.