DUSHANBE, August 19, 2013, Asia-Plus — The Ministry of Economic Development and Trade (MoEDT) notes that the main imported food products are grain and wheat flour.
298,400 tons of grain with an average price of 355 USD per ton, and 103,100 tons wheat with an average price of 441 USD per ton, have been imported were to Tajikistan over the first six months of this year, 13.2% less grain and 48.5% less wheat flour when compared to the same period in 2012.
According to the monthly report for August 2013,
Monitoring and Early Warning in Tajikistan
, July 2013 wheat flour prices decreased in comparison to June. As of July 30, 2013, the average price for a 50-kilogram sack of locally and Kazakh produced first grade wheat flour in Dushanbe’s bazaars was 130.00 somoni (equivalent to 28.10 USD). In comparison to June, the price for locally produced wheat flour had decreased by 2.7% and Kazakh flour by 5.9%.
The report notes that wheat grain and flour prices were stable or decreased in June due to the adequate availability of local production and imports from Kazakhstan. Although nearly 300,000 tons of wheat grain were imported into Tajikistan from Kazakhstan in the first six months of 2013, these volumes are 13 percent lower than 2012 levels over the same period. Prices in key Kazakh source markets are well-above their respective 2012 and five-year average levels. Wheat grain and flour prices in Tajikistan were therefore generally well above their respective June 2012 and five-year average levels.
Wheat grain prices continued to decrease by five and six percent in Qurghon Teppa and Gharm, respectively, due to incoming supplies with the progression of the winter wheat harvest.
In Tajikistan the prices of wheat grain and locally produced wheat flour are reportedly expected to decrease slightly in the coming months with ongoing harvests and the expectations of higher imports from Kazakhstan in the second half of the year, following the harvest. Imported wheat flour prices are expected to decline because of improved harvests prospects this year coupled with reduced export duties, particularly from Kazakhstan.
The Market Prices Report for August 2013 prepared by the UN WFP for Tajikistan highlights notes that the national average price of wheat flour continued to drop in July due to adequate supplies, but still remained at high level: 22 percent higher compared to July 2012.
