According to the retailer, in January-November 2022, the total amount of deliveries of fruit and vegetable products from Uzbekistan to Magnit stores exceeded 3.5 billion rubles ($54.4 million at the current exchange rate). In particular, compared to the same period last year, the import of persimmons increased almost 2 times, grapes - more than 2 times, and plums - 3 times. The structure of imports this year has expanded due to new product categories and varieties: pomegranate, lemon, peach, plum and pumpkin. In addition, the Magnit chain has also started importing nuts and semi-finished products from Uzbekistan.

The pace of fruit and vegetable supplies is influenced by the factor of seasonality. The peak months are October and November, which account for almost 40% of annual imports from Uzbekistan. During this period, the key import positions are grapes and persimmons. About a third of the annual volume falls on the summer months - this is the season of stone fruits (cherries, nectarines, peaches, plums) and melons, as well as the beginning of the grape ripening season, according to the relevant material on the company's website.

The opening of a commercial procurement office in Tashkent simplified work with Uzbek suppliers. Specialists compensated for the reduction in the supply of fresh fruit and optimized the delivery time, said the Director of Magnit for commercial procurement.

Back in 2017, Magnit signed a contract for the supply of fruit and vegetable products with Uzbekozikovkatholding. Then it was noted that Uzbek apricots, grapes, melons, peaches, persimmons and cherries are most in demand in Russia.