Chris Andrew has lived and worked in over 70 countries, but Uzbekistan is where he’s chosen to stay. From his early days building yachts in Thailand to his current work in agriculture, he shares what brought him to Uzbekistan, what he’s found there, and why he calls it home.
Chris Andrew, city — Tashkent, Minnesota Soybean Organization in-country representative
About myself
I was born in Canada and spent most of my life in the United States, including my university years. After that, I moved to Japan for a year, where I worked for a consulting company teaching cross-cultural communication. Then I relocated to Thailand, where I lived for 12 years, helping to build the world's largest production yachts. After that, I returned to the United States, completed an MBA, and then moved to Istanbul for 10 years, where my two children were born. In Istanbul, I was responsible for agricultural development across 40 countries.
When my children were of school age, we moved to Ohio, where I lived for 10 years, continuing to work in international consulting. I also spent two years in Afghanistan. In 2018, I moved to Uzbekistan, a place I had visited about 25 times while living in Istanbul and working across Central Asia. I had always found Uzbekistan to be an interesting place. Since moving here, I've focused on agricultural development, specifically poultry, feed, dairy, and soy processing.
About moving
I moved to Uzbekistan because I saw a significant opportunity for growth. During my visits, I witnessed the country undergoing changes, especially from 2015 to 2017. I recognized the same signs of development that I had seen in countries like Thailand in the late '80s and '90s and Romania in the early 2000s. The region, particularly Uzbekistan, had many opportunities in sectors like agriculture, tourism, and property development. Despite initial challenges like political restrictions, currency issues, and land ownership problems, I felt it was the right time to be here.
Besides business opportunities, I genuinely wanted to live in Uzbekistan. Even if there hadn't been a boom, I would have moved here because I find the country fascinating. I studied history at University of California, Berkeley and was working on a PhD in history. Uzbekistan offers endless opportunities for discovery in history, archaeology, art, and architecture, making it an ideal place for someone with my background and interests.
The main reason I stayed in Uzbekistan was my interest in its history, culture, architecture, and archaeology. From a business perspective, I anticipated a significant economic boom, which has actually surpassed my expectations. Over the past six years, the country has changed more than in the previous 20 years.
About activities
I work for the Minnesota Soybean Research and Marketing Organization. We are working on food security issues in Uzbekistan, which is vital as the population grows by a million people every year. We need to find ways to improve food importation and exportation.
My work involves creating jobs, feeding people, and creating investment and export opportunities. For instance, I recently met with a trader importing palm oil from Malaysia via Iran, which led to unexpected insights into trade routes. We are also focusing on increasing local production capacities in poultry and dairy farming, particularly in regions like Fergana, Andijan, and Namangan. The goal is to double or triple dairy and poultry production to meet the growing food demand due to Uzbekistan's rapidly increasing population.
My daily work involves connecting traders, buyers, and industry experts, as well as organizing visits to the United States to learn from industry leaders. For example, this month, we are sending a delegation of at least ten people to the U.S. to explore collaborations. We’re also preparing for a dairy show in Wisconsin this October. In the meantime, we continue to hire experts, including a full-time poultry nutritionist and a dairy specialist, to help improve local production standards and meet the country’s food security needs.
About Uzbekistan
My first connection to Uzbekistan came through my role as Regional Director for Turkey and the Turkic Republics with the American Soybean Association in the late 1990s. At that time, few Americans understood the distinctions within the Soviet Union. Uzbekistan felt like an undeveloped place where everything had fallen apart, but I recognized its historical richness and potential for growth. I kept returning to observe developments, confident that one day the conditions would be right for meaningful work. My initial impressions were mixed: the country was fascinating but challenging due to a lack of openness and infrastructure.
I have traveled extensively in Uzbekistan and enjoy many places. I like the main tourist sites such as Khiva, Bukhara, and Samarkand, where I often take visitors. I also appreciate the Fergana Valley, which is largely untouched by tourism and has great agricultural potential. The south, including Termez and the Surkhandarya area, interests me for its Buddhist archaeology. Karakalpakstan is unique with its desert landscape, distinct culture, and the Khwarezmian history of desert fortresses. Nature around Tashkent, like Chimgan and Charvak, is beautiful, and the Fergana Valley is lush with incredible fruits like cherries, peaches, and apricots—the best I’ve ever tasted.
About travels
I have visited all the Central Asian countries many times. Uzbekistan stands out to me because it has the most potential in my areas of expertise, with the largest population and a central location surrounded by all five neighboring countries, making it ideal for importing, processing, and re-exporting. While I find Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan fascinating for their natural beauty, there isn’t enough there to make me want to live in those countries. Kazakhstan is less interesting to me compared to Uzbekistan, it lacks the historical sites like Khiva, Bukhara, and Samarkand. I visited Turkmenistan a few times but haven't been back for a while. Its archaeological sites aren't as spectacular, and it's a difficult country for business due to its isolation and visa restrictions. I look forward to the day when Turkmenistan is more integrated with the region.
About people and traditions
Uzbeks are very friendly and remind me of the welcoming attitude of the Thais, which makes Uzbekistan similar to Burma in the 1990s, just starting with tourism but with great potential. The local hospitality, especially from taxi drivers who often refuse payment from foreigners, is unique to Uzbekistan.
I've experienced some local traditions, like the way certain parts of meat are served according to status, but I try to avoid too much red meat due to health concerns. What interests me more are the lesser-known cultural aspects, like the Jewish heritage in the region, the Mennonite colony in Khiva, and the surprising presence of ethnic Koreans in Uzbekistan. The diversity here is remarkable, with around 60 different ethnic groups.
I enjoy Uzbek food, though I've had to cut back on dishes like plov, shashlik, and lagman. I've discovered new favorites, like the grilled fish at restaurant in Fergana called "Vazgen", which is the best I've ever had. There's potential for Central Asian cooking to attract more international interest if it adapts to preferences, like reducing visible fat. I've also been surprised by the quality of local dairy products, like Italian-style cheeses produced in Karakalpakstan and goat cheese from Andijan. These products have the potential for broader appeal.
About plans
I'm very happy living in Uzbekistan and have no immediate plans to move elsewhere. While I've considered places like Georgia, I feel that Uzbekistan has a bright future and many opportunities. I want to see the projects I'm involved in come to fruition and believe that Uzbekistan will undergo significant positive changes in the coming years. I'm concerned about overdevelopment, especially the increase in traffic in Tashkent, but overall, I'm comfortable here and plan to stay.
