Harvesting of early sweet cherries and apricots has begun in Tajikistan. Early fruits have ripened in orchards of Khatlon province (southern Tajikistan) and Hisor Valley (southwest part of Tajikistan).
Current average prices for sweet cherries and apricots at Dushanbe’s bazaars are 15-25 somonis and 10-20 somonis per kilogram, respectively.
According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), a total area of stone fruit orchards in Tajikistan is 80,000 hectares; these are, first of all, apricots, plums, sweet cherries, cherries, and peaches
Besides, these fruits are also grown in household plots, and for many people in rural areas, they are one of the sources of replenishment of the family budget.
“This year, the sweet cherry harvest is good; the fruits are large and tasty. The May rains did not hurt us much,” Bakhtiyor Hafizov, a farmer from Shahrinav district, told Asia-Plus in an interview
Early apricots are grown in Khatlon province, primarily in Kushoniyon, Jaloliddini-Balkhi, Dousti and Jaihoun districts.
Each tree gives on average 40-50 kilograms of apricots; the fruits are large – each weighs 70-80 grams.
Las year, first early sweet cherries appeared at bazaars and supermarkets in Dushanbe in late April; the wholesale price for one kilogram was equal to about 2.00 U.S. dollars and individually they were sold at US$3.00-US$4.00 per kilogram.
This year, prices are much lower.
Mass sweet cherry harvest season starts in Tajikistan approximately on May 10 and lasts until mid-June.
This year, Tajikistan intends to increase fresh fruit exports to the Russian Federation, Kazakhstan, China and European countries.
Last year, Tajikistan exported US$30 million worth of more than 43,000 tons of fruits.
