In a world where global trade is increasingly shaped by shifting economic policies, supply chain disruptions, and evolving consumer preferences, the past week has offered a revealing snapshot of how exporters across continents are navigating both headwinds and opportunities. From the bustling fruit markets of Uzbekistan to the chocolate factories of Flanders, the garment halls of Cairo, the ambitious export strategies of India’s Uttar Pradesh, and the sports industry consultations in Seoul, the stories emerging paint a vivid portrait of adaptation, innovation, and resilience in international commerce.
In Uzbekistan, what began as a well-intentioned government effort to clamp down on export revenue concealment has, for the second consecutive year, left exporters grappling with unintended consequences. According to EastFruit, the introduction of minimum export prices for fruit and vegetable products in May 2024 was meant to reduce the shadow economy and ensure that exporters reported their true revenues. However, the rigid mechanism—where minimum prices are revised only once a week—has failed to keep pace with the daily fluctuations and regional variations that define the fresh produce market.
“We are once again facing an inflexible system: minimum prices are revised once a week, just like last year, and do not account for daily market fluctuations, nor for significant differences in product quality categories or regional variations,” explained Nodirbek Musaev, head of Musaevs AgriFoods LLC, to EastFruit. The real-world impact is stark: in August 2025, a Belarusian retailer ordered green grapes at $1.12 per kilogram, but the official minimum export price was set at $1.20 per kilogram until the end of the month, making legal export impossible at the actual market rate. Similarly, the minimum price for fresh pomegranates in September stood at $1.50 per kilogram, while domestic wholesale prices ranged from $0.81 to $1.05. This gap, an 85% markup over the lowest domestic price, forces exporters to either delay shipments or inflate invoice prices—leading to mounting accounts receivable and, ironically, encouraging the very "grey" export schemes the policy was designed to eliminate.
Musaev contends that these price controls, while theoretically aimed at increasing transparency and revenue, have instead "proven ineffective in practice and do not contribute to real export revenue growth. Instead of achieving its declared objectives—preventing exporters from concealing revenues and reducing the share of the shadow economy—it complicates the operations of bona fide exporters and undermines the competitiveness of Uzbek fruit and vegetable products in foreign markets."
Contrast this with the sweet success story unfolding in Flanders, where 2024 saw chocolate and cocoa products overtake dairy as the region’s top agricultural export for the first time. According to the Flanders News Service, exports of chocolate and cocoa products soared to 4.8 billion euros—a 33% jump from 2023. Imports also surged by 79% to 3.7 billion euros, reflecting both higher demand and dramatic price increases linked to disappointing harvests in Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana, as well as crop diseases and reduced use of fertilizers. The ports of Antwerp and Zeebrugge have become vital conduits, not just for importing raw cocoa but for exporting finished Belgian chocolate to major markets like the Netherlands, France, Germany, the UK, the US, and China.
“Chocolate is one of our strongest assets. With record figures in 2024, our chocolate makers are confirming their world-class status,” said Flanders agriculture minister Jo Brouns. “They combine craftsmanship, innovation and export strength, putting Flanders on the international map. We must cherish this strength and continue to use it as a calling card for Flanders.”
Meanwhile, in India’s most populous state, the Uttar Pradesh government is setting its sights on a bold target: doubling exports to $50 billion by 2030. As reported by PTI, the newly approved Uttar Pradesh Export Promotion Policy 2025-30 offers a raft of incentives, from support for service sector exporters and startups, to trade facilitation centers, marketing and freight support, and performance-linked incentives. The policy is notable for its breadth, covering sectors ranging from electronics and handicrafts to agriculture, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and even services like education, medical, travel, and IT. Notably, Uttar Pradesh has become the first state in India to offer incentives specifically for service sector exporters—a move designed to foster innovation and create jobs for the youth.
Exporters in the state can now access financial aid of up to Rs 2 lakh for international fairs, Rs 1 lakh for air travel, and additional support for domestic events. Funds have also been earmarked for new Merchandised Trade Facilitation Centers in key districts and a dedicated Services Trade Facilitation Center in Gautam Budh Nagar. As Nand Gopal Gupta ‘Nandi’, Minister of Industrial Development and Export Promotion, put it: “The policy has been expanded to include on-boarding assistance, export performance-based incentives, and support for post office export centres and export credit insurance, besides grants for expenses on ECGC coverage and performance-linked incentives that will not only incentivise new exporters and startups but also help the state double its exports by 2030.”
Egypt, too, is making headlines for its export ambitions. The 77th edition of Cairo Fashion & Tex, which opened under the theme “Supporting Egyptian Exports,” is expected to generate at least $60 million in export contracts, according to Pyramids International Group. This year’s event, featuring over 350 Egyptian factories, is a showcase of national pride—every exhibitor is Egyptian, a deliberate move to highlight local industry and boost garment sector exports. The exhibition has drawn more than 1,000 international buyers from 20 countries, with delegations from Russia and Pakistan attending for the first time. The program includes direct B2B meetings and factory visits, while official delegations from chambers of commerce in Jordan, Morocco, and Tunisia aim to strengthen regional investment partnerships.
Mohamed El-Sherif, Chairperson of Pyramids International Group, emphasized the growing competitiveness of Egyptian garments: “Egyptian products have become more appealing than Chinese counterparts—not only in terms of price, but also quality and delivery speed. Today, we are competing strongly with Turkey, and we may soon reach, or even surpass, the level of China.”
In Asia, South Korea’s sports industry is also mobilizing to expand its global reach. On September 12, 2025, the Seoul Olympic Memorial National Sports Promotion Foundation hosted its second sports industry export consultation meeting, bringing together 28 overseas buyers and 66 local sports companies for one-on-one consultations. According to MK Sports, the event focused on export contracts and future cooperation, with buyers from the United States and Singapore among those in attendance. Government agencies provided export consulting, while a separate meeting addressed challenges posed by recent changes in U.S. customs policy. Ha Hyung-joo, chairman of the Foundation, underscored the stakes: “The United States is a very important strategic market for our companies. Through this export consultation and meeting, we will actively support Korean companies to pioneer overseas markets.” The third consultation conference is already scheduled for November, with applications opening soon.
Across these diverse markets, one theme stands out: the push to adapt policies, showcase local strengths, and forge new partnerships is driving a new era of export innovation. Whether it’s the struggle to balance regulation and flexibility in Uzbekistan, the celebration of chocolate in Flanders, ambitious policy reforms in Uttar Pradesh, garment sector dynamism in Egypt, or South Korea’s targeted industry support, the world’s exporters are proving that resilience and creativity remain the keys to thriving in a complex global economy.
For now, the race to capture new markets and overcome challenges continues—each region writing its own chapter in the evolving story of international trade.
