After lifting restrictions on potato exports, Kazakhstan sharply increased foreign shipments, with Tajikistan becoming one of the key destinations, reports lsm.kz — an information portal covering news on Kazakh business and economy.
In January–February 2026, Kazakhstan reportedly sent 16.7 thousand tons of potatoes to Tajikistan, which is 257 times more than a year earlier (64.9 tons). This surge is associated with the lifting of the temporary export ban that was in effect in 2025 amid rising domestic prices.
Overall, in the first two months of 2026, potato exports from Kazakhstan reached 141.4 thousand tons, increasing almost eightfold compared to the same period last year. Uzbekistan remains the main buyer (124.6 thousand tons), but Tajikistan has risen to second place in terms of purchase volumes, the report notes.
“At the end of 2025, Tajikistan imported about 77.5 thousand tons of potatoes worth over $13.1 million. Thus, in just two months of 2026, Kazakhstan has already provided about 21–22% of this country’s annual import volume,” the article’s authors write.
Experts associate the growth in shipments with the recovery of trade flows and high demand for Kazakh products. If the current pace continues, Kazakhstan may consolidate its position among the key suppliers of potatoes to the Tajik market.
Meanwhile, in the domestic market of Kazakhstan, potato prices have begun to decrease. In March, the average cost was 216 tenge (4.37 somoni at the current rate) per kg, which is 7.3% lower than a year earlier, although prices have risen by 6.4% since the beginning of the year.
In Tajikistan, in April 2026, potato prices increased by 1.5% compared to March, and by 3.8% since the beginning of the year.
Currently, potatoes are sold in the country’s markets within the range of 5.5–7 somoni per kg.
