In 2024, Tajikistan's agricultural exports reached US$56.7 million, reflecting an 18% increase compared to the previous year.
However, actual volumes may be higher, as some shipments pass through the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) member countries and are recorded in their trade statistics.
Despite the growth in fruit and dried fruit exports, vegetable shipments have declined significantly, highlighting logistical challenges and market competition.
In a report released at a news conference in Dushanbe, Bahriiddin Sirojiddinzoda, director of the Export Development Agency under the Government of Tajikistan, stated on February 7 that official statistics do not fully reflect the actual export situation.
According to him, many Tajik exporters prefer to ship their goods via EAEU member countries to reduce customs duties, causing Tajik products to be registered as exports from other countries. Experts estimate that the actual export volume could exceed US$100 million.
Diverging Trends in Export Structure
Export figures show mixed dynamics in 2024:
- Vegetable exports dropped by 51%, totaling 30.9 thousand tons worth $3.5 million, compared to 60.7 thousand tons ($6.3 million) in 2023.
- Onion exports were hit particularly hard, falling by nearly half.
At the same time, fruit exports surged by 44.8% in volume and 57.1% in value:
- Grapes showed the highest increase, with exports rising 140% in volume and 130% in value.
Challenges hindering export growth
Several key factors are limiting export potential:
- Lack of logistics infrastructure
- Transit difficulties
- Insufficient processing capacity
Tajikistan lacks large-scale collection and storage centers, making transportation of perishable goods difficult.
Additionally, a shortage of modern packaging solutions and brand recognition reduces the competitiveness of Tajik agricultural products.
According to Sirojiddinzoda, addressing these issues could boost exports and strengthen Tajikistan’s position in global trade. To achieve this, the country must focus on:
- Developing logistics centers
- Implementing food processing technologies
- Expanding support for farmers
