News
Eighteen tons of Afghan melons rot in Tajikistan
(August 6) The Afghan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) reported that 18 tons of melons were left to rot on the Afghanistan-Tajikistan border. The melons, produced in Afghanistan’s Kunduz province, were intended for export to Russia. ACCI and its provincial counterpart in Kunduz suggested that Tajik authorities had a hand in the delay, noting that Tajikistan has begun exporting its own melons to Russia. On the other hand, an spokesman for the Afghan government placed the blame on conflicts among Afghan traders. – TOLONews
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State program to allow adding 66,500 hectares of new irrigated lands in Kyrgyzstan
(July 26) The Kyrgyz government announced its ten-year irrigation development plan for 2017-2026. The state program will add 66,500 hectares to existing irrigated land and increase the water supply of another 51,080 hectares. – 24.kg [Read more...]

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Tajik agriculture minister: do not expect a decrease in food prices
(July 19) At a July 19 press conference, Tajik agriculture minister Izatullo Sattori advised the public not to expect food prices to decrease in the near future. He attributed price increases for potatoes, onions, carrots, and other commonly consumed vegetables to market conditions and costs incurred bringing them to retail. – Asia Plus [Read more...]

News
EU increased wheat imports from Kazakhstan by 27 percent
(July 12) Kazakhstan exported approximately 210,000 tons of wheat to the European Union in the 2016-2017 marketing year, marking a 27 percent increase from 2015-2016. Kazakhstan’s wheat marketing year runs from July to June, according to FAO. – UkrAgoConsulting, FAO [Read more...]

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Belarusian agricultural machinery to be assembled in Tajikistan
(July 10) Planning is underway to start assembling Belarusian-brand agricultural machinery in Tajikistan. Belarusian agricultural machinery is well regarded in Tajikistan and comprises a major portion of Belarus’ exports to the country. – Belarusian Telegraph Agency

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January-May migrant remittances up 39.5 percent from previous year in Kyrgyzstan
(June 28) The chairman of Kyrgyzstan’s national bank reported that the net inflow of migrant remittances increased by 39.5 percent from January to May 2017 compared to the same period in 2016. In addition, the national currency has remained stable, strengthening 0.9 percent against the dollar since January 1. – 24.kg

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USAID expands markets for farmers in southern Kyrgyzstan
(June 14) U.S. Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic Sheila Gwaltney attended the opening ceremony for a vegetable consolidation center in the southern town of Aravan. The facility – a joint project between USAID and a local entrepreneur – will sort, clean, and package around 24,000 tons of vegetables per year with the ultimate goal of supplying domestic and international retailers. – USAID [Read more...]

News
IMF completes mission to Tajikistan
(May 31) Representatives from the International Monetary Fund concluded a two-week mission to Tajikistan on May 30, during which it discussed reforms and the possible resumption of talks to start IMF-supported programs in the country. The IMF press release commented favorably on recent financial reforms and efforts to unify the official and market exchange rates, which had diverged in 2016 in the midst of an economic crisis in the country. It also described additional steps that the Tajik government would need to take in order to facilitate closer cooperation with the IMF. – IMF [Read more...]

News
Power station’s heat allows unique fish farm in Karaganda

(19 April 2017 Astana Times) Natur Produkt farm has been culturing rainbow trout at the Topar Lake 40 kilometers from Karaganda since last year. Close proximity to the Karaganda GRES 2 power station creates unique conditions for fish culturists; thermal release from the power station’s maintains ideal temperatures at a one-hectare pond at no cost to the farm. [Read more...]

News
Products from Kyrgyzstan in most cases not pass phytosanitary control
(30 March 2017 24.kg) Most Kyrgyz products do not pass phytosanitary control upon import into the Novosibirsk region. High phytosanitary risk products are often transported without necessary documents confirming phytosanitary safety or without marking on packages. [Read more...]

News
30 tons of cabbage returned to Kyrgyzstan from Kazakhstan
(25 March 2017 24.kg) 30 tons of cabbage and 2 tons of potatoes were returned to Kyrgyzstan from Kazakhstan because they were imported without the required phytosanitary certificates. [Read more...]

News
Europe, Central Asia transitioning to new nutrition challenges, cautions UN agency
(14 March 2017 UN) UN’s FAO released a new regional overview of Europe and Central Asia earlier this month, sub-titled “The Food Security Transition.” The report calls for a change in thinking of nutrition policies in the region, moving from concerns over calorie sufficiency to focusing on healthy and balanced diets. [Read more...]

News
Kyrgyzstan to export biological products to Uzbekistan and Tajikistan
(7 March 2017 24.kg) A new bio-factory, scheduled to open on April 15, will produce six types of preparations that protect crops from harmful diseases for export to Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

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ADB President Visits Uzbekistan to Strengthen Partnership, Signs 4 New Loan Agreements
(3 March 2017 ADB) ADB President Takehiko Nakao signed four new loan agreements totaling $573 million. The sum will be divided among the Small Business Finance Project ($100 million), the Tashkent Province Water Supply Development Project ($121 million), the Horticultural Value Chain Development Project ($154 million), and the Kashkadarya Regional Road project ($198 million).

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Uzbekistan interested to join Trans-Caspian transport route
(23 February 2017 Trend) During the 16^th meeting of the joint intergovernmental commission on bilateral cooperation that took place February 22, Kazakh and Uzbek railway companies discussed the possibility of sending Uzbek exports and imports through Kazakh ports via the Trans-Caspian international transport route. They also reached an agreement on granting discounts on transportation of Kazakh grain and flour and goods in 45 feet refrigerators, and transit of Uzbek fruits and vegetables and other agricultural products via the territory of Kazakhstan. [Read more...]

News
Kyrgyzstan to purchase 140,000 tons of mineral fertilizers in 2017
(15 February 2017 24.kg) Kyrgyzstan uses about 200,000 tons of mineral fertilizers annually and intends to purchase 140,000 tons of mineral fertilizers in 2017, with up to 40,000 tons being purchased from Uzbekistan.

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Uzbek farmers offered lemon trees and chickens
(9 February 2017 Reuters) The government of Uzbekistan plans to provide 850,000 households with 100 chickens each and help 1.07 million households and small farms build greenhouses for 4.2 million trees. The cabinet plans to set up specialized companies that will first supply households with chickens and seedlings, then buy the eggs and lemons they produce for export. [Read more...]

First ever hypermarket opens in Tajikistan

(AKIpress, 25 June 2016) Tajikistan’s first hypermarket opened in the country’s capital, Dushanbe, providing its customers with high-quality produce, greater choice and western standards of hygiene and logistics. Tajik President Emomali Rahmon inaugurated the 5,000 m2 Auchan hypermarket, which has the support of financing from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The discount hypermarket will be operated by Schiever Tajikistan, a subsidiary of the French Schiever Group, which holds the Auchan franchise in the mountainous country of eight million people in Central Asia, on the border with Afghanistan and China.

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Prices and tariffs reduction preserves in Kyrgyzstan

(24 News Agency, 10 Jun 2016) Trend of prices and tariffs reduction preserves in Kyrgyzstan, Head of Summary Estimation and Dissemination of Statistical Information Department Chinara Turdubaeva said today at a press conference. According to her, for five months prices have decreased by 1.8 percent in the country. In May, the cost of food and non-alcoholic beverages decreased by 5.2 percent, while alcoholic beverages and tobacco products, by contrast, rose by 2.5 percent, services - 1.6 percent. [Read more...]