Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Uzbekistan Seeks Indian Steel to Cut Logistics Costs
Uzbekistan is a country in Central Asia that has no coastline.
It currently buys about 1 million tonnes of steel from China each year.
Moving that steel can cost as much as $100 per tonne before adding the price of the steel.
Uzbekistan believes buying steel from India could use a shorter route.
This may help reduce transportation costs.
Steel groups from Uzbekistan and India signed an agreement to cooperate.
They will discuss manufacturing, technology, environmental protection, sustainable growth and logistics.
India is the world's second-largest steel producer.
The agreement could also help Indian steel companies find new markets for their exports.
Uzbekistan wants to import steel from India through a shorter alternative route.
The landlocked country currently imports about 1 million tonnes of steel, including TMT bars, from China.
Transporting steel from China via sea can cost up to $100 per tonne, excluding the steel price.
The Uzbekistan Metallurgy Association and Indian Steel Association signed an MoU covering industry cooperation.
India exported 9.1 million tonnes of steel in 2025-26, mainly to the EU, Vietnam and the UAE.
- Who
- The Uzbekistan Metallurgy Association and the Indian Steel Association, representing steel industries in Uzbekistan and India.
- What
- Uzbekistan is seeking to import steel from India, supported by a Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries' steel associations.
- When
- The development was reported on August 18, 2026, after being announced on Tuesday.
- Where
- The proposed trade involves Uzbekistan and India; Uzbekistan currently imports steel from China via a sea route.
- Why
- To reduce Uzbekistan's logistics costs and support efforts to expand Indian steel exports.
- Current supplier
- China
- Uzbekistan's steel imports
- Around 1 million tonnes, including TMT bars
- China-to-Uzbekistan logistics cost
- Up to $100 per tonne via sea route, in addition to the steel price
- Agreement
- Memorandum of Understanding between the Uzbekistan Metallurgy Association and Indian Steel Association
- Cooperation areas
- Manufacturing, technology, environment, sustainable growth and logistics
- India's steel production rank
- World's second-largest steel producer
- India's steel exports
- 9.1 million tonnes in 2025-26
- Major export regions
- European Union, Vietnam and the Middle East, specifically the UAE
