Shavkat Bobozoda, Director of the Export Development Agency under the government of Tajikistan, says onion price hike has resulted from unfavorable weather conditions.
“Price for onion depends on weather conditions and onion exports and export of onions has nothing to do with it,” Bobozoda said. “Compared to January-June last year, the Tajikistan has exported onions 18,000 tons less over the first six months of this year.”
In a report released at a news conference in Dushanbe, Bobozoda noted on August 3 that over the first six months of this year, Tajikistan has exported 75,000 tons of agricultural products, with 80 percent of them being onions.
He also noted that onion prices have already stabilized in the domestic market of the country.
At the same time, Bobozoda noted that temporary suspension imposed on onion exports in the country is aimed at meeting domestic demand.
Meanwhile, the head of the Customs Committee’s office for Sughd province, Zafar Mahmadiyev, told reporters in Sughd’s capital, Khujand, on August 2 that onion exports have bene temporarily suspended in the country.
“About two weeks ago, the government adopted a resolution aimed at regulating onion prices and providing the domestic market with this type of agricultural products,” said Mahmadiyev. “This measure is still temporary.”
According to him, the Sughd province has exported 66,000 tons of onions over the first six months of this year, which is 10,000 tons fewer than in the same period last year.
The major trading partners for Tajikistan’s onions are Russia and Kazakhstan.
It is to be noted that the price for one kilogram of onions in Dushanbe rose from 3.00 somonis in April to 8.00-9.00 somonis in July, with similar price rises in other parts of the country.
Current average price for one kilogram of onions at the country’s bazaars is 5.00-6.00 somonis.
Specialists from the Ministry of Agriculture say the rising onion prices have resulted from the reduction of areas under onions, bad weather conditions and the rising prices of petroleum products and mineral fertilizers in the country.
Meanwhile, the head of the Khatlon Agriculture Directorate, Temour Amirbek, told reporters in Khatlon’s capital, Bokhtar, on July 12 the reduction in areas under early onion has led to increase in the onion prices.
“In Khatlon, the areas under onion have been reduced by 1,200 hectares,” Amirbek said, noting that the price hike has also resulted from the rising costs of petroleum products and mineral fertilizers.
